Article

This qualitative study explored mobility levels around the home and in
the community before and after hip fracture. Twenty-four people
receiving rehabilitation after hip fracture were interviewed using an in-depth
semi-structured format: 12 who were receiving rehabilitation as inpatients, and
12 who had been discharged home from inpatient rehabilitation and were continuing
therapy as outpatients. The recorded interviews were transcribed and coded
independently by two researchers. From these codes themes were developed.
RESULTS: Before their fracture, participants were independent about their houses,
but their level of community ambulation had been reducing over recent months or
years, often associated with another health problem. Participants who had
returned home after inpatient rehabilitation for hip fracture reported much
reduced levels of mobility both in their house and in the community compared with
their pre-fracture performance. This reduced level of mobility was associated
with psychological factors (fear, lack of confidence, frustration), physical
factors (pain, the presence of another health problem) and social/environmental
factors (reliance on daughter, and car). The level of optimism expressed by
people receiving inpatient rehabilitation contrasted with the pessimism of those
receiving outpatient rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients living back in the
community after hip fracture described a reduced level of functioning and a
pessimism that contrasted with the optimism expressed by people who were still in
the inpatient phase of rehabilitation. These findings, and the importance of
psychological factors and social support, may be considered when designing
rehabilitation strategies to support the successful transition of people to their
community after hip fracture.

Langue : ANGLAIS