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People's experiences of suffering a lower limb fracture and undergoing surgery
- Source :
- Journal of clinical nursing. 23(1-2)
- Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- Aims and objectives To describe people's experiences of suffering a lower limb fracture and undergoing surgery, from the time of injury through to the care given at the hospital and recovery following discharge. Background There is a lack of research on people's experiences of suffering a lower limb fracture and undergoing surgery – from injury to recovery. Design A qualitative approach was used. Methods Interviews with nine participants were subjected to thematic content analysis. Results One theme was expressed: from realising the seriousness of the injury to regaining autonomy. Participants described feelings of frustration and helplessness when realising the seriousness of their injury. The wait prior to surgery was a strain and painful experience, and participants needed orientation for the future. They expressed feelings of vulnerability about being in the hands of staff during surgery. After surgery, in the postanaesthesia unit, participants expressed a need to have control and to feel safe in their new situation. To mobilise and regain their autonomy was a struggle, and participants stated that their recovery was extended. Conclusions and relevance to clinical practice Participants found themselves in a new and unexpected situation and experienced pain, vulnerability and a striving for control during the process, that is, ‘from realising the seriousness of the injury to regaining autonomy’. How this is managed depends on how the patient's needs are met by nurses. The nursing care received while suffering a lower limb fracture and undergoing surgery should be situation specific as well as individual specific. The safe performance of technical interventions and the nurse's comprehensive explanations of medical terms may help the patient to feel secure during the process.
- Subjects :
- Freedom
medicine.medical_specialty
business.industry
media_common.quotation_subject
Vulnerability
Psychological intervention
Learned helplessness
General Medicine
Patient Discharge
Surgery
Nursing care
Fractures, Bone
Feeling
Nursing
Physical therapy
Medicine
Humans
Orthopedic Procedures
Thematic analysis
business
General Nursing
Autonomy
Seriousness
media_common
Leg Injuries
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 13652702
- Volume :
- 23
- Issue :
- 1-2
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of clinical nursing
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....2b94ad2fc9cf353fa79c4ef9b17bfea5