Orthopedic injury is the leading cause of trauma hospital admissions for adults under age 65, and can result in significant caregiver distress. While a growing body of literature describes the family response to traumatic brain injury and chronic illnesses, little is known about the family response to orthopedic trauma or effective support for these caregivers. This study describes the range of stressors and burdens experienced by the orthopedic trauma family, and responses and strategies employed by those assuming the primary caregiving role.;This is a hypothesis-generating qualitative study in which in-depth semi-structured in-person interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of caregivers of severely orthopedically injured adults. In Phase I, an interview was conducted with caregivers (n=8) retrospectively; in Phase II, caregivers were interviewed three times during the first five months following injury (n=12). A friend and the patient were interviewed for their perspective on the caregiver's experience and further data were collected from observations of the caregiver and patient in the hospital and home. Interview transcripts and field notes were analyzed to identify the range of experiences and common themes regarding burdens, stressors, facilitators, barriers, coping, and impact.;Orthopedic trauma caregivers expressed a strong need for information about the patient's condition, treatments, and care plans during the hospitalization. Once home, caregivers' primary concern was patient health management. Influences on caregiver capacity to manage to this role included work benefits, financial resources, patient acuity, family responsibilities, perception of social support, patient personality, and caregiver coping style. The lack of professional help with coordination of care in the community was a significant challenge. Outcomes included positive and negative changes in family well-being, increased caregiver self-confidence, and adjusted life priorities.;Understanding the caregiver experience enables providers to offer appropriate support and guidance. Hospitals instituting family-centered systems of information from admission to discharge may facilitate coping and improved caregiving. Including the family perspective in national organizations focused on orthopedic care would provide a mechanism to advocate for orthopedic trauma family needs. Federal policies that better address employees' needs as caregivers would improve family well-being. Healthcare reform providing access to care for all suffering traumatic injuries would enable family caregivers to better provide support and improve family functioning. Further study is needed to verify these findings in a wider population of orthopedic trauma caregivers.
展开▼
