Biopsychosocial barriers affecting recovery after a minor transport‐related injury: A qualitative study from Victoria

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to understand the recovery phenomena and to explore participants' perspectives on the biopsychosocial facilitators and barriers affecting their recovery after a minor transport injury.MethodsA qualitative method was used involving semi‐structured interviews with 23 participants who sustained a minor transport injury. Interviews and analysis were guided by the biopsychosocial model (BPS) of health. The outcomes were themes capturing biopsychosocial barriers to, and personal experiences of, recovery using a previously defined framework.ResultsThe themes indicate that recovery is a multifaceted phenomenon affected by comorbidities such as chronic pain, depression and anxiety. A range of subsequent complexities such as the inability to self‐care and undertaking daily domestic duties, and incapacity to participate in recreational activities were major barriers to recovery. These barriers were found to be an on‐going source of frustration, dissatisfaction and a perceived cause of depressive symptomatology in many participants. Most participants reported mixed feelings of the care received. Other common issues raised included a lack of understanding of the assessment time, regular follow‐up, guidance and on‐going support.ConclusionThis study revealed that recovery after a minor transport‐related injury was a challenging, complex, demanding and a long‐term process for the individuals in this study. Findings from this limited cohort suggested that, for participants to return to their pre‐accident health status, a more coordinated approach to information and care delivery may be required.

‘I’ve got to be independent’: Views of older people on recovery following road traffic injury in New South Wales, Australia

“…Several of the ndings from our study are consistent with those of studies that investigated RTI recovery in older people treated in the ED such as persistent pain, psychological injury, activity limitations, di culties with activities of daily living, and changes to living situation [19][20][21] . Our ndings also shared commonalities with RTI recovery studies in general adult populations, especially the importance of social support from family and friends; di culties with loss of independence [39] ; negative impacts on recovery due to chronic pain, anxiety and depression [24] ; di culties with independent self-care and /or domestic life, and reduced participation in recreational activities [24] .…”

“…The strongest associations occurred between poor recovery and high initial pain intensity; pain duration, severity and catastrophising; and pre-injury physical and mental health [23] . A subsequent qualitative study by Samoborec et al in 2019 was consistent with this evidence, nding recovery was multifaceted, complex, and in uenced by comorbidities including chronic pain, depression and anxiety [24] . Major barriers to recovery were also identi ed.…”

“…In the RTI literature, Samoborec et. al explored barriers to recovery using the biopsychosocial model from which the ICF was developed [24] .…”

“…Major barriers to recovery were also identi ed. These were inability to self-care and/or complete domestic duties, and inability to participate in recreational activities leading to frustration, dissatisfaction and for some was a perceived cause of depression [24] . Despite these important ndings in general adult road injury populations, evidence speci cally for older people is lacking, despite known poorer outcomes in older people compared to younger people following mild to moderate RTI [18] .…”

‘I’ve got to be independent’: Older peoples’ views on recovery following road injury: A qualitative study

“…The strongest associations occurred between poor recovery and high initial pain intensity; pain duration, severity and catastrophising; and pre-injury physical and mental health [18] . A subsequent qualitative study by Samoborec et al in 2019 was consistent with this evidence, finding recovery was multifaceted, complex, and influenced by comorbidities including chronic pain, depression and anxiety [19] . Major barriers to recovery were also identified: inability to self-care and/or complete domestic duties, and inability to participate in recreational activities; leading to frustration, dissatisfaction and for some was a perceived cause of depression [19].…”