Orthopaedic patients' experience of motor vehicle accident in Singapore
1School of Nursing & Midwifery, Victoria University, Doncaster East, Victoria, Australia. kim_laitan@yahoo.com.sg
Aim:
The purpose of this paper is to present a study that explored the experiences of orthopaedic patients injured in motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), from the time of the accident until 6 months after being discharged from hospital.
Background:
Trauma injuries from MVAs are increasing, with the number of deaths from such injuries continuing to rise. Victims often sustain open fractures to more than one part of their body and need rehabilitation and support to adjust to long-term chronic or permanent disability. In the last decade, research pertaining to trauma nursing has concentrated on neurologically injured patients. Although there is a paucity of research on the nursing perspective of psychological care for non-neurologically injured patients, the majority of studies located were mainly quantitative in nature and did not analyse the personal experiences of orthopaedic patients.
Method:
A qualitative naturalistic inquiry approach was used, which provided a first-hand account of the traumatic MVA event experienced by six orthopaedic participants in Singapore. Data were collected from face-to-face in-depth interviews. Participants were voluntarily recruited through purposeful sampling and 'snowballing'. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim in preparation for analysis.
Findings:
The analysis of information explicated four main themes: the experience of the event, the effect of hospitalization, surviving the event and self-transformation.
Conclusion:
The study provided an understanding of orthopaedic patients' experience of MVA in Singapore. The findings of the study have the potential to contribute to the limited qualitative research available concerning victims' experiences of MVAs and nurses caring for MVA victims.
Insights
This study explored orthopaedic patients' experiences following motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). Findings reveal key themes from the event through self-transformation, offering insights for MVA victim care.
Area of Science:
- Trauma Nursing
- Orthopaedic Patient Experiences
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) are a growing cause of trauma injuries and fatalities.
- Orthopaedic patients often suffer severe injuries, requiring extensive rehabilitation and support for long-term disability.
- Existing research on trauma nursing primarily focuses on neurological injuries, with limited qualitative data on psychological care for non-neurological trauma patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the lived experiences of orthopaedic patients injured in motor vehicle accidents (MVAs).
- To understand patient journeys from the accident through six months post-hospital discharge.
- To contribute qualitative insights into the care of MVA victims.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative naturalistic inquiry approach was employed.
- Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with six orthopaedic participants in Singapore.
- Data were collected through audiotaped interviews, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Analysis identified four primary themes: the experience of the event, the impact of hospitalization, surviving the event, and self-transformation.
- These themes provide a comprehensive understanding of the patient's journey.
- The findings highlight the psychological and adaptive processes involved.
Conclusions:
- The study offers valuable insights into the experiences of orthopaedic patients following MVAs in Singapore.
- Findings enhance the limited qualitative research on MVA victim experiences.
- The results can inform nursing practices for caring for MVA survivors.