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Exploring Canadian electrical injury survivors' and caregivers' experiences with recovery in Ontario: A qualitative
Susan Zahir1, Logan Reis2, Sander L Hitzig3
1St. John's Rehab, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 285 Cummer Avenue, Room B114, Toronto, Ontario M2M 2G1, Canada; Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Ave #160, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1V7, Canada.
Objectives:
This qualitative study aimed to: (1) describe electrical injury (EI) survivors' and caregivers' experiences with navigating daily life after an EI and (2) explore EI survivors' and caregivers' experiences with social support during recovery.
Procedure:
Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analyzed thematically.
Design:
Qualitative descriptive design.
Setting Participants:
Sixteen participants (12 survivors, 4 caregivers) who were treated at Sunnybrook Hospital or St. John's Rehab between 2000-2020 were recruited to participate in the study.
Results:
Recovery trajectories were marked by uncertainty, with survivors and caregivers describing complex physical, neurological, neuropsychological, psychological, and social challenges. Across interviews, participants emphasized the burden of 'invisible' symptoms, including cognitive, emotional, and function-limiting difficulties that were often difficult for others to recognize or predict. Survivors emphasized the need for diverse support networks, while caregivers expressed emotional and informational needs. Peer and naturally occurring social supports proved critical, with engagement influenced by individual, social, and environmental factors.
Conclusion:
This study underscores the unique and multifaceted challenges faced by EI survivors and their caregivers, highlighting the critical importance of addressing both physical and psychosocial recovery. In clinical practice, these findings emphasize the need for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach that integrates medical management with psychological support and social services.
