Adaptation with Injury, Family Role Responsibilities, & Social Support After Distal Radius Fracture (DRF)
Abstract
This study is a qualitative interpretive descriptive study aimed at elucidating the impact of distal radius fracture (DRF) on patients' activities of daily living (ADLs), professional and familial duties, and social support during the healing process. The study focuses on fracture healing during the immobilization phase of injury. This study lies in the constructivist paradigm employing the interpretive description method. A total of 20 participants with DRF in casts were recruited by purposeful sampling from the Hand & Upper limb Centre, St. Joseph’s Hospital enrolled and interviewed over the telephone. Data was analyzed by Braun and Clarke’s Thematic Analysis Approach. Constructed themes were mapped on the biopsychosocial model of rehabilitation. The major themes arising from the data set were discomfort/difficulties with ADL and adaptations to activities with DRF and cast, support patients received from their families, friends, neighbors, and colleagues, and their expectations from family and friends for providing emotional and physical support. DRF caused people to be mindful of aging and slow healing, people upholding their independent identities, loneliness caused by COVID-19, and DRF being a trigger for emotional upheaval.