Sobantu NA1, Tshabalala MD1
1Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Physiotherapy, Garankuwa, South Africa
Background: Pelvic fractures are complex injuries that do not usually occur alone but in poly-trauma that includes motor vehicle accidents. There is a higher survival rate of patients following pelvic fractures due to improved multidisciplinary health care management. Concurrently there is documented increase in persistent residual disabilities post-pelvic fracture recoverythat affect the patient's overall quality of life and particularly health related quality of life. The health related quality of life is the individual's perception of life in relation to culture and the value systems they live in and how it influences their goals and expectations.
Purpose: The aim was to explore the patients' perspectives on their health related quality of life post-pelvic fracture.
Methods: A phenomenological qualitative study design was conducted using structured interviews to explore the patients' perspectives on their health related quality of life post-pelvic fracture. The interview guide was drafted based on the domains of the 15-Dimension Health Related Quality of life questionnaire. Eligible discharged patients were purposefully sampled from medical records from 2008 to 2013 in three Academic hospitals in Tshwane, South Africa. Informed consent was signed prior to participation. Peer debriefing was done with the supervisor before and after each interview. Interviews lasted 45 - 60 minutes each and were conducted at a participant's place of choice using a language of the participant's preference. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated from the participants' languages to English by two language experts to ascertain credibility. Data saturation was reached with 20 participants. We kept a reflective journal and an audit trail was done to ensure confirmability, transferability and dependability. Thereafter, transcripts were thematically analysed using NViVo version 10 by the researcher and an independent coder.
Results: Thirteen (13) of the 20 participants were males and the mean age was 40.85 ±12.87 years. The youngest participant was 24 years old and the oldest 66 years. Participant were between two to seven years post pelvic fracture intervention. Four themes: physical, emotional, mental and social function and 15 sub-themes emerged. Sub-themes were: Impact on functional activities, Lack of vitality, Dependence, Self-awareness, Loss of self-worth, Shattered dreams, Determination, Loss of self-esteem, Work re-integration, Family dynamics, Friendships, Finances, Partner challenges, Sports and recreation, and Community re-integration. The themes and sub-themes of this study were consistent with the domains of the Health Related Quality of Life.
Conclusion(s): In this study we found that people sustained pelvic fracture as a result of motor vehicle accidents and the affected individuals were mostly young adults that were unmarried males. The participants perceived their health related quality of life to be negatively affected as compared to their pre-injury state as they were not able to engage effectively in activities of daily living including house chores, work/job and sports and recreation limiting their social interactions at home and in the community.
Implications: The findings of our study will contribute to the development of a patient centred care physiotherapy model that will improve quality of care leading to improved health related quality of life.
Keywords: Health Related Quality of Life, Pelvic fractures, Motor vehicle accidents
Funding acknowledgements: The study was funded by Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Research Development Grant.
Purpose: The aim was to explore the patients' perspectives on their health related quality of life post-pelvic fracture.
Methods: A phenomenological qualitative study design was conducted using structured interviews to explore the patients' perspectives on their health related quality of life post-pelvic fracture. The interview guide was drafted based on the domains of the 15-Dimension Health Related Quality of life questionnaire. Eligible discharged patients were purposefully sampled from medical records from 2008 to 2013 in three Academic hospitals in Tshwane, South Africa. Informed consent was signed prior to participation. Peer debriefing was done with the supervisor before and after each interview. Interviews lasted 45 - 60 minutes each and were conducted at a participant's place of choice using a language of the participant's preference. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated from the participants' languages to English by two language experts to ascertain credibility. Data saturation was reached with 20 participants. We kept a reflective journal and an audit trail was done to ensure confirmability, transferability and dependability. Thereafter, transcripts were thematically analysed using NViVo version 10 by the researcher and an independent coder.
Results: Thirteen (13) of the 20 participants were males and the mean age was 40.85 ±12.87 years. The youngest participant was 24 years old and the oldest 66 years. Participant were between two to seven years post pelvic fracture intervention. Four themes: physical, emotional, mental and social function and 15 sub-themes emerged. Sub-themes were: Impact on functional activities, Lack of vitality, Dependence, Self-awareness, Loss of self-worth, Shattered dreams, Determination, Loss of self-esteem, Work re-integration, Family dynamics, Friendships, Finances, Partner challenges, Sports and recreation, and Community re-integration. The themes and sub-themes of this study were consistent with the domains of the Health Related Quality of Life.
Conclusion(s): In this study we found that people sustained pelvic fracture as a result of motor vehicle accidents and the affected individuals were mostly young adults that were unmarried males. The participants perceived their health related quality of life to be negatively affected as compared to their pre-injury state as they were not able to engage effectively in activities of daily living including house chores, work/job and sports and recreation limiting their social interactions at home and in the community.
Implications: The findings of our study will contribute to the development of a patient centred care physiotherapy model that will improve quality of care leading to improved health related quality of life.
Keywords: Health Related Quality of Life, Pelvic fractures, Motor vehicle accidents
Funding acknowledgements: The study was funded by Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Research Development Grant.
Topic: Orthopaedics; Musculoskeletal: lower limb; Disability & rehabilitation
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
Ethics committee: Medunsa Research Ethics Committee
Ethics number: MREC/H/37/2014: PG
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
