Patients' and therapists' perspective of integrating home and family work roles into rehabilitation following distal radius fracture

PurposeTo explore distal radius fracture (DRF) patients' and hand therapist/occupational therapist/physiotherapists' perceptions of integrating home and family work roles (HFWR) into rehabilitation.MethodsEighteen patients and eleven therapists completed a semi-structured telephone interview three months after DRF. Reflexive thematic analysis of the interviews and triangulation of patients' and therapists' themes was performed.ResultsThe patient interview yielded five themes: the experience of rehabilitation; predetermined expectations of rehabilitation; incorporating HFWR into therapy sessions; varying patient needs for addressing HFWR; and determination to return to valued activities drives behavioral choices. The therapists' interview yielded five themes: The challenges in integrating HFWR into rehabilitation; HFWR addressed when brought up by a patient; working context and referral sources influence the rehabilitation plan; rehabilitation is not explicitly tailored according to sex and gender; and utilizing HFWR as a rehabilitation strategy is perceived beneficial.ConclusionsPatients have predetermined rehabilitation expectations primarily focused on mobility and strengthening exercises. Therapists and patients agree that adapting home and family work roles is beneficial but was not a major focus for either therapists' or patients' expectations during therapy. An unfavourable environment, patient budget constraints, and limited time were identified as challenges to integrating family roles. Therapists should proactively discuss and address home and family work roles with patients with distal radius fractures when appropriate.Therapists should tailor rehabilitation plans according to the individual needs and expectations of the patients.Hospitals and clinics should create an environment conducive to addressing home and family work roles, and resources should be allocated for comprehensive rehabilitation programmes.