This study investigates the strategies used by physiotherapists at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Nigeria to prepare older adults with mobility limitations during hospital to home transition.
This qualitative study adopted Sally Thorne’s interpretive descriptive approach. Physiotherapists, with at least five years of experience working in University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Nigeria and have participated in discharging older adults with mobility limitations, were purposively selected. Data were gathered through 25–30-minute semi-structured interviews, conducted either by phone or in person and recorded for accuracy. Transcripts were analyzed using NVIVO (QSR, version 12.0). Thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke’s six-step framework, was used to identify and explore key themes and insights relevant to improving clinical practice.
Fourteen physiotherapists (12 males and 2 females) were interviewed, revealing four interconnected major themes (sub themes): patient/family factors facilitating safe discharge (patient and family-focused motivators), physio-focused factors facilitating safe discharge (the physiotherapist's role as an educator, collaborator, communicator and mobility and home assessment expert), education-focused factors facilitating safe discharge (caregiver, PT, and patient education), and barriers (physiotherapist stereotypes, cultural, financial, and communication limitations, health challenges, and societal perceptions affecting patient participation in rehabilitation during hospital discharge). The successful discharge of older adults hinges on the intrinsic motivation of patients and the indispensable support of caregivers. Collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, particularly involving occupational therapists early in the admission process, underscores the pivotal role of physical therapists as experts in mobility assessment and education. Recognized barriers encompass stereotypes, cultural and financial constraints, communication obstacles, and societal perceptions impacting rehabilitation motivation, while health challenges like comorbidities significantly influence recovery outcomes.
Overcoming barriers and leveraging support systems, physiotherapists can enhance the quality of care and promote successful transitions for older adults with mobility limitations, ultimately improving their quality of life and independence in the community.
Physiotherapists’ active role in hospital-to-home transition is almost nonexistent. This study highlighted how PTs are actively involved in hospital-to-home transition of older adults with improving mobility outcomes following discharge.
Healthy ageing for older adults
Mobility limitation
