Article

PURPOSE: To generate an understanding of the opinions of key people associated
with a program for older people transitioning from hospital back to the community
and explore their thoughts around training family members to help provide physiotherapy. METHOD: A qualitative study using focus groups and semi-structured
interviews was conducted. Participants included patients admitted to a
transitional care program, their family members, physiotherapists working in
transitional care and members of a consumer group from the health service where
the transitional care program was based. Data were transcribed verbatim and a
thematic analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Four patients, four family members,
four consumer group members and eight physiotherapists participated in this
study. Three themes emerged: family members providing physiotherapy may improve
outcomes for patients; training family members to provide physiotherapy should
include key elements and be individualised; and involving family members in
physiotherapy may impact positively and negatively on people and relationships.
CONCLUSIONS: Older people transitioning from hospital to the community are at
risk of functional decline and may receive very little physiotherapy. Training
family members to assist with physiotherapy was perceived as a way to improve
patient outcomes and relationships between patients and their family, although
there were concerns raised about caregiver stress. Evaluation of the feasibility
and effectiveness of this approach is warranted. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION:
Older people transitioning from hospital to the community are at risk of
functional decline and often receive very little physiotherapy. Training family
members to assist with simple physiotherapy programs may increase the amount of
physiotherapy patients transitioning from hospital to the community can receive
and improve functional outcomes for patients. Stakeholders perceive that
individualising a program to patient and family member needs is important.
Involving family members in physiotherapy may not increase caregiver stress and
may improve relationship dynamics between patients and family members.

Langue : ANGLAIS