The Use of Psychosocial Services Post Hand and Upper Limb Injury and Trauma: A Pilot Study

Research demonstrates that hand injuries may cause psychological difficulties. To enhance recovery, therapists must provide appropriate referrals. The purpose of this study was to explore the use of psychosocial services by occupational therapists (OTs) and certified hand therapists (CHTs) post hand and upper limb injury or trauma.

A quantitative survey design was implemented using a self-made questionnaire, which consisted of questions regarding demographic information, types and frequency of hand and upper limb injuries, psychiatric diagnoses, frequency of psychosocial service referrals, frames of references used, types of psychosocial assessments and interventions employed, and barriers to psychosocial services. The questionnaire was randomly distributed to 29 therapists.

The most frequently recorded frame of reference was the Biomechanical. Only 17.2% participants implemented psychosocial assessments. Sixteen of the 29 participants referred to 9 possible psychosocial services; however, majority of referrals were "occasionally." OTs specialized in mental health, behavioral specialists, and social workers were recorded with the least amount of referrals. A Spearman rank correlation found a weak, but significant inverse relationship between referrals by therapists and years of experience as an OT or CHT (-0.322 and -0.351, P < .05, respectively).

Therapists appear to be biomechanically oriented which may impact outcomes. An inverse correlation was found where the less experience participants had, the more likely they were to refer to psychosocial services. The results emphasized the lack of psychosocial assessments, interventions, and referral services being used by therapists. Further education to therapists, third parties, and other health professionals is warranted.