Stakeholder experience of rehabilitation after complex fractures
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Stakeholder experience of rehabilitation for adults with complex fractures following traumatic injury: a qualitative interview study
IRAS ID
338930
Contact name
Lucy Silvester
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Coventry University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Car crashes and other accidents can cause serious injuries, including badly broken bones called ‘complex fractures’. Rehabilitation helps people recover and get back to normal. However, people with complex fractures tell us that lack of rehabilitation is a big problem. They cannot get the help they need on the National Health Service (NHS).
People who have a head injury, lose a limb, or damage their spine get specialist NHS rehabilitation, and will receive this support for life. But those with complex fractures do not get this rehabilitation. This is an important problem.
Complex fractures are life changing. People can suffer serious disability that affects their health and quality of life. Many never work again, with only 50-64% returning to their previous employment at 2-years. It is estimated that this costs the UK taxpayer £540 million every year in lost tax and state benefits.
It is unclear what the best rehabilitation programme is for people with complex fractures.
This study aims to identify what components of rehabilitation are important to people with complex fractures, and to those who deliver or fund rehabilitation for this population. This includes what makes it easier or harder to engage in rehabilitation after leaving hospital.
The participants will be 18 years and over. The public participants will have one or more complex fractures and be between 3-12 months post injury. The healthcare participants will be experienced orthopaedic and plastics surgeons, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, general practitioners and commissioners, whose work includes complex fractures. This includes NHS or private rehabilitation services.
Adverts will be on social media, groups and charities connected to complex trauma, professional networks and three NHS hospitals. Participants will be invited to share their experiences during an interview lasting 45-60 minutes, at a time and location (online, telephone or in person) that suits them.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NW/0177
Date of REC Opinion
24 May 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion