Abstract
BackgroundAnnually in the UK, 40,000–90,000 people are involved in a traumatic incident. Severity of injury and how well people recover from their injuries varies, with physiotherapy playing a key role in the rehabilitation process. Recovery is evaluated using multiple outcome measures for perceived levels of pain severity and quality of life. It is unclear however, what constitutes a successful recovery from injury throughout the course of recovery from the patient perspective, and whether this aligns with physiotherapists’ perspectives.MethodsA qualitative study using two approaches: Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis following the Kreuger framework for focus groups. A purposive sample of 20 patients who have experienced musculoskeletal trauma within the past 4 weeks and 12 physiotherapists who manage this patient population will be recruited from a single trauma centre in the UK. Semi-structured interviews with patients at 4 weeks, 6 and 12 months following injury, and 2 focus groups with physiotherapists will be undertaken at one time point. Views and perceptions on the definition of recovery and what constitutes a successful recovery will be explored using both methods, with a focus on the lived experience and patient journey following musculoskeletal trauma, and how this changes through the process of recovery. Data from both the semi-structured interviews and focus groups will be analysed separately and then integrated and synthesised into key themes ensuring similarities and differences are identified. Strategies to ensure trustworthiness e.g., reflexivity will be employed.DiscussionRecovery following musculoskeletal trauma is complex and understanding of the concept of successful recovery and how this changes over time following an injury is largely unknown. It is imperative to understand the patient perspective and whether these perceptions align with current views of physiotherapists. A greater understanding of recovery following musculoskeletal trauma has potential to change clinical care, optimise patient centred care and improve efficiency and clinical decision making during rehabilitation. This in turn can contribute to improved clinical effectiveness, patient outcome and patient satisfaction with potential service and economic cost savings. This study has ethical approval (IRAS 287781/REC 20/PR/0712).
Highlights
In the UK, 40,000–90,000 people are involved in a traumatic incident
In the UK, 40,000–90,000 people are involved in a traumatic accident [2,3,4], with approximately 50% resulting in musculoskeletal injury [2]
Rehabilitation is recognised by the Trauma and Audit Research Network (TARN), and the National Health Service (NHS) of the UK as a high priority during the recovery process, with national guidelines recommending that patients with more severe injuries are routinely referred to physiotherapy [6]
Summary
Patient interviews Participants will be invited to complete 3 semistructured interviews. Focus groups Any qualified physiotherapist who is involved in the management of musculoskeletal trauma patients’ in the Trust will be invited to participate This includes both inpatient and outpatient physiotherapists to capture early to later stage of recovery during rehabilitation. Patient interviews The (CI), who has GCP training, and previous experience in recruiting and consenting participants following trauma within an NHS setting, will approach the potentially eligible participants the following day to allow adequate time for the participant to read the PIS, ask questions and gain signed consent from willing participants. In the event the CI is unable to access the hospital due to COVID-19 restrictions, a member of the major trauma team/research nurses will consent willing participants prior to the interview taking place virtually.
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