Words of wisdom – patient perspectives to guide recovery for older adults after hip fracture: a qualitative study

Abstract

Recovery after hip fracture is complex involving many transitions along the care continuum. The recovery process, and these transitions, often present significant challenges for older adults and their families and caregivers. There is an identified need for more targeted information to support older adults and their families throughout the recovery process.Therefore, our goal was to understand the recovery phase after hip fracture from the patient perspective, and identify specific messages that could be integrated into future educational material for clinical practice to support patients during recovery. Using a qualitative description design guided by a strengths-based focus, we invited men and women 60+ years with previous hip fracture and their family members/caregivers to participate in interviews. We used purposive criterion sampling within the community setting to recruit participants. We followed a semi-structured guide to conduct the interviews, either in person or over the telephone, and focused questions on experiences with hip fracture and factors that enabled recovery. Two investigators coded and analyzed interview transcripts to identify key messages. We interviewed a total of 19 participants: eleven older adults who sustained a hip fracture and eight family member/caregivers. Participants described three main messages that enabled recovery: 1) seek support; 2) move more; and 3) preserve perspective. Participants provided vital information about their recovery experience from hip fracture. In future, this knowledge can be incorporated into patient-centered education and shared with older adults, their families, and health care professionals across the continuum of care.

Patient Perspectives on Engagement in Recovery after Hip Fracture: A Qualitative Study

“…As such, their experience may not reflect the “typical” older adult undergoing surgery for hip fracture. However, similarities have been found between the themes identified in this study and those of other studies using qualitative methods to describe older adults' recovery from hip fracture [12, 51, 52]. These consistencies enhance the body of knowledge in this area and provide a stronger foundation from which to propose recommendations for practice.…”

Qualitative Insights from the Osteoporosis Research: A Narrative Review of the Literature

“…Navigation within the recovery process of Canadian patients following hip fracture has been explored [55]. Similar to other studies, these participants described the need for more information on hip fractures and recovery, and the difficulty of questioning healthcare providers.…”

Reflections on Hip Fracture Recovery From Older Adults Enrolled in a Clinical Trial

“…While several studies have provided insight into the patient experience of recovering from hip fracture (Griffiths et al, 2015; Schiller et al, 2015; Ziden et al, 2010), few have done so in relation to the program being delivered. We used an evaluative approach to describe participants’ perspectives on the experience of participating in a postoperative hip fracture care program within an RCT at 6- and 12-months after recruitment into the study.…”