Recovery from traumatic injury: Trauma patients' perceptions of facilitators and barriers

摘要

Abstract Background: Individuals who have sustained an unintentional physical traumatic injury often undergo a lengthy and arduous process of recovery, as they strive to return to pre-injury levels of physical, occupational and social function. However, little research has been conducted on interventions to support trauma patients during recovery, and the few interventions implemented have limited success.Objectives: This qualitative descriptive study was designed to explore the facilitators and barriers to the recovery process to inform nursing interventions and research.Methods: A sample of 13 individuals in the southeast United States, who sustained an unintentional traumatic injury requiring hospitalization in the previous 6 months, completed an in-person semi-structured interview. Data were analyzed using line by line coding, identification of patterns and themes, and constant comparison of themes to the data.Results: Four major themes that facilitated recovery from injury were identified: support, coping, processing, and progress. Major barriers to recovery included financial losses, physical changes, lack of information, and emotional consequences.Discussion: Trauma patients need informational and support resources, especially peer support from those with a similar injury, to provide indicators of progress and promote successful integration of the injury event and its consequences into their views of self.