Early Recovery Experience of Patients With Injury in Taiwan

A qualitative study exploring the lived experiences of patients living with mild, moderate and severe frailty, following hip fracture surgery and hospitalisation

It is well recognised that hip fracture surgery is associated with a negative impact on short and long-term post-operative physical health and emotional well-being for patients. Furthermore, these patients are known to be frail with multiple co-morbidities. This study explores how frailty shapes the lived experiences of rehabilitation and recovery for patients who have undergone hip fracture surgery. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with sixteen participants, recently discharged from hospital following hip fracture surgery. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was applied to explore the lived experiences of frail patients and ascertain important themes. Patient experiences were captured in seven overarching themes: 1) the hospital as a place of "safety", 2) placing trust in others, 3) the slow recovery journey impeded by attitude and support, 4) maintaining autonomy and dignity whilst feeling vulnerable, 5) seeking a new normal, 6) loneliness and social isolation and 7) the ageing body. Based on our study findings, we have been able to suggest a number of opportunities to improve support for frailer patients in finding a new routine to their everyday lives, these include on-going physical and psychological support, information and education and a robust pathway for transition of care into the community. A conceptual thematic diagram is presented which helps to understand the experience and the complex needs of frail older people undergoing hip fracture surgery.

Health Professionals' Perspectives on the Efficacy of Using Comprehensive Care to Improve Outcomes in Patients With Traumatic Injury

Background

Barriers related to comprehensive posttrauma care and health outcome monitoring exist. The insights and perspectives of health professionals on this issue may help integrate care experiences to provide continuous care to patients with traumatic injury.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of health professionals with regard to comprehensive care to improve the outcomes of patients with traumatic injury.

Methods

Data were collected at two teaching hospitals in Taiwan. In total, 28 health professionals across various disciplines were interviewed in five focus groups.

Results

Six themes were delineated, including “wound care is a primary concern for patients,” “ineffective health education during the hospital stay,” “patients and families worry about postinjury conditions,” “current continuity of care is not effective,” “lack of standards for discharge planning,” and “incorporation of interdisciplinary care to improve patient outcomes.”

Conclusions

The experiences of health professionals are useful to the establishment of a foundation for trauma case management and interdisciplinary care for hospitals.

The Journey Toward Taking the Day for Granted Again: The Experiences of Rural Older People's Recovery From Hip Fracture Surgery

BACKGROUND

A hip fracture is an unexpected, subjective, traumatic experience that affects the person in both physical and emotional ways.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to describe rural older people's experiences of recovering after hip fracture surgery.

METHODS

Thirteen individual interviews were conducted with older people. The interview texts were analyzed with qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

Patients described finding themselves in a new and vulnerable situation, dependent on others for simple everyday chores. They struggled to regain independence while staying positive, convinced that they would recover. Fear of another fall, as well as lack of information, made recovery at home difficult.

CONCLUSION

Older people who experience hip fractures need support during the recovery process. Because recovery begins at the hospital, this study highlight patients' need to participate in recovery planning, as well as the need to have information about what it means to be affected by a hip fracture and how to prevent it from happening again. This study emphasizes that nurses' awareness of patients' need to participate in planning the recovery process is crucial for enabling patients' return to a daily life that is similar to their prefracture life.