Informal caregivers' needs on discharge from the spinal cord unit: analysis of perceptions and lived experiences

Experiences of people with non-traumatic spinal cord injuries returning home after inpatient rehabilitation

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to explore the experience of people with non-traumatic spinal cord injuries who have recently returned home from inpatient rehabilitation.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven adults with non-traumatic spinal cord injuries who had been discharged from inpatient rehabilitation from an Australian rehabilitation hospital, within the last two years.

RESULTS

Three themes were identified: the practicalities of coming home; adjusting to "my altered home life"; pursuing recovery. When people felt prepared by their rehabilitation service, and had appropriate support from others, they had a more positive adjustment experience, although not one without challenges. Due to less independence and inability to participate in meaningful life roles, participants experienced a sense of lost or changed identity. Maintaining hope for physical recovery was very important and motivated participants to actively engage in rehabilitation efforts.

CONCLUSIONS

This study adds to the knowledge regarding the lived experience of people with non-traumatic spinal cord injury transitioning from rehabilitation to home. Facilitators for successful rehabilitation discharge included ensuring community services contacted patients immediately after they left hospital, and providing support for carers. Health care workers can positively influence the adjustment process of people with NTSCI by facilitating re-engagement in meaningful roles.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe transition home from inpatient rehabilitation after non-traumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI) is facilitated by early discharge planning and follow-up from services after discharge.Establishing routines helped participants adjust to their new circumstances.The emotional and practical support of carers is vital for successful adjustment to living in the community with an NTSCI.Health care workers can positively influence the adjustment process of people with NTSCI by facilitating their re-engagement in meaningful roles.

Adult patient and carer experiences of planning for hospital discharge after a major trauma event: a qualitative systematic review

PURPOSE

To identify, evaluate and synthesize qualitative literature on adult patients and carer experiences of planning for discharge from an acute setting after a major trauma event.

METHODS

The JBI approach to meta-aggregation was followed. Qualitative studies exploring patient and carer discharge planning experiences of major trauma were included in the systematic review. A comprehensive search was conducted in five databases, supplemented by grey literature. Eligible studies were appraised for methodological quality by two reviewers and data extracted using standardized JBI tools.

RESULTS

Four synthesized findings emerged using 69 findings from sixteen papers. (i) Patients and carers feel generally unprepared to manage at home after discharge, (ii) early identification of patients' post discharge needs allows for appropriate referrals and supports to be organised prior to discharge, (iii) patients and carers value participation in the discharge planning process to facilitate a considered, organized and timely discharge from hospital (iv) the timely presentation, delivery, language used, format and relevancy of information impacts how patients and carers manage their discharge.

CONCLUSION

This meta-synthesis demonstrates that patients and carers predominantly have poor experiences of discharge planning after major trauma. Adoption of patient centered principles may improve patient and carer experiences of the discharge planning process.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONPatients and their carers benefit from a client-centred approach where their needs are recognised and their collaboration encouraged in important decisions, and if they are adequately prepared to reintegrate into their community.Patients can benefit from having a trauma pathway healthcare professional to provide support and advocacy services throughout their hospital admission and after discharge.Discharge planning that is organised, prepared and collaborative leads to a more positive patient experience.Discharge information should be individualised and presented in an easily accessible format for patients and carers.

Long-term prediction of functional independence using adjusted and unadjusted single items of the functional independence measure (FIM) at discharge from rehabilitation

CONTEXT

Being able to survive in the long-term independently is of concern to patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), their relatives, and to those providing or planning health care, especially at rehabilitation discharge. Most previous studies have attempted to predict functional dependency in activities of daily living within one year after injury.

OBJECTIVES

(1) build 18 different predictive models, each model using one FIM (Functional Independence Measure) item, assessed at discharge, as independent predictor of total FIM score at chronic phase (3-6 years post-injury) (2) build three different predictive models, using in each model an item from a different FIM domain with the highest predictive power obtained in objective (1) to predict "good" functional independence at chronic phase and (3) adjust the 3 models from objective (2) with known confounding factors.

METHODS

This observational study included 461 patients admitted to rehabilitation between 2009 and 2019. We applied regression models to predict total FIM score and "good" functional independence (FIM motor score ≥ 65) reporting adjusted R², odds ratios, ROC-AUC (95% CI) tested using 10-fold cross-validation.

RESULTS

The top three predictors, each from a different FIM domain, were Toilet (adjusted R² = 0.53, Transfers domain), Toileting (adjusted R² = 0.46, Self-care domain), and Bowel (adjusted R² = 0.35, Sphincter control domain). These three items were also predictors of "good" functional independence (AUC: 0.84-0.87) and their predictive power increased (AUC: 0.88-0.93) when adjusted by age, paraplegia, time since injury, and length of stay.

CONCLUSIONS

Discharge FIM items accurately predict long-term functional independence.

Environmental and systems experiences of persons with spinal cord injury and their caregivers when transitioning from acute care to community living during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparative case study

STUDY DESIGN

Comparative case study OBJECTIVES: To elevate the voices of and capture the lived environmental and systems experiences of persons with spinal cord injury (PWSCI) and their caregivers, in transitions from inpatient rehabilitation to the community. Also, to examine the perceived and actual availability and accessibility of services and programs for this group.

SETTING

Inpatient rehabilitation unit and community in Calgary, Alberta, Canada METHODS: As a comparative case study, this research included multiple sources of data including brief demographic surveys, pre- and post-discharge semi-structured interviews, and conceptual mapping of services and programs for PWSCI and caregivers in Calgary, Canada (dyads). Three dyads (six participants) were recruited from an inpatient rehabilitation unit at an acute care facility, from October 2020 to January 2021. Interviews were analyzed using the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach.

RESULTS

Dyads described transition experiences from inpatient rehabilitation to community as uncertain and unsupported. Breakdowns in communication, COVID-19 restrictions, and challenges in navigating physical spaces and community services were identified by participants as concerns. Concept mapping of programs and services showed a gap in identification of available resources and a lack of services designed for both PWSCI and their caregivers together.

CONCLUSIONS

Areas for innovation were identified that may improve discharge planning and community reintegration for dyads. There is an intensified need for PWSCI and caregiver engagement in decision-making, discharge planning and patient-centered care during the pandemic. Novel methods used may provide a framework for future SCI research in comparable settings.

Factors that influence the provision of home-based rehabilitation services for people needing rehabilitation: a qualitative evidence synthesis

BACKGROUND

To increase people's access to rehabilitation services, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to explore how the delivery of these services can be adapted. This includes the use of home-based rehabilitation and telerehabilitation. Home-based rehabilitation services may become frequently used options in the recovery process of patients, not only as a solution to accessibility barriers, but as a complement to the usual in-person inpatient rehabilitation provision. Telerehabilitation is also becoming more viable as the usability and availability of communication technologies improve.

OBJECTIVES

To identify factors that influence the organisation and delivery of in-person home-based rehabilitation and home-based telerehabilitation for people needing rehabilitation.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched PubMed, Global Health, the VHL Regional Portal, Epistemonikos, Health Systems Evidence, and EBM Reviews as well as preprints, regional repositories, and rehabilitation organisations websites for eligible studies, from database inception to search date in June 2022.  SELECTION CRITERIA: We included studies that used qualitative methods for data collection and analysis; and that explored patients, caregivers, healthcare providers and other stakeholders' experiences, perceptions and behaviours about the provision of in-person home-based rehabilitation and home-based telerehabilitation services responding to patients' needs in different phases of their health conditions.   DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used a purposive sampling approach and applied maximum variation sampling in a four-step sampling frame. We conducted a framework thematic analysis using the CFIR (Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research) framework as our starting point. We assessed our confidence in the findings using the GRADE-CERQual (Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research) approach.  MAIN RESULTS: We included 223 studies in the review and sampled 53 of these for our analysis. Forty-five studies were conducted in high-income countries, and eight in low-and middle-income countries. Twenty studies addressed in-person home-based rehabilitation, 28 studies addressed home-based telerehabilitation services, and five studies addressed both modes of delivery. The studies mainly explored the perspectives of healthcare providers, patients with a range of different health conditions, and their informal caregivers and family members.  Based on our GRADE-CERQual assessments, we had high confidence in eight of the findings, and moderate confidence in five, indicating that it is highly likely or likely respectively that these findings are a reasonable representation of the phenomenon of interest. There were two findings with low confidence. High and moderate confidence findings Home-based rehabilitation services delivered in-person or through telerehabilitation  Patients experience home-based services as convenient and less disruptive of their everyday activities. Patients and providers also suggest that these services can encourage patients' self-management and can make them feel empowered about the rehabilitation process. But patients, family members, and providers describe privacy and confidentiality issues when services are provided at home. These include the increased privacy of being able to exercise at home but also the loss of privacy when one's home life is visible to others.  Patients and providers also describe other factors that can affect the success of home-based rehabilitation services. These include support from providers and family members, good communication with providers, the requirements made of patients and their surroundings, and the transition from hospital to home-based services. Telerehabilitation specifically Patients, family members and providers see telerehabilitation as an opportunity to make services more available. But providers point to practical problems when assessing whether patients are performing their exercises correctly. Providers and patients also describe interruptions from family members.  In addition, providers complain of a lack of equipment, infrastructure and maintenance and patients refer to usability issues and frustration with digital technology. Providers have different opinions about whether telerehabilitation is cost-efficient for them. But many patients see telerehabilitation as affordable and cost-saving if the equipment and infrastructure have been provided. Patients and providers suggest that telerehabilitation can change the nature of their relationship. For instance, some patients describe how telerehabilitation leads to easier and more relaxed communication. Other patients describe feeling abandoned when receiving telerehabilitation services.  Patients, family members and providers call for easy-to-use technologies and more training and support. They also suggest that at least some in-person sessions with the provider are necessary. They feel that telerehabilitation services alone can make it difficult to make meaningful connections. They also explain that some services need the provider's hands. Providers highlight the importance of personalising the services to each person's needs and circumstances.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This synthesis identified several factors that can influence the successful implementation of in-person home-based rehabilitation and telerehabilitation services. These included factors that facilitate implementation, but also factors that can challenge this process. Healthcare providers, program planners and policymakers might benefit from considering these factors when designing and implementing programmes.

"You were lying in limbo and you knew nothing": a thematic analysis of the information needs of spinal cord injured patients and family members in acute care

PURPOSE

To address the lack of research on the information needs of spinal cord injured (SCI) patients and family members in acute care, in order to inform the provision of appropriate information supports.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven traumatic SCI patients and six family members. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse and interpret the data.

RESULTS

Five themes were generated: (1) "You were lying in limbo and you knew nothing" describes how being situated in non-specialist acute care limited participants' access to information; (2) "You'll never walk again" is not enough describes the need for information about the effects of SCI and the management of secondary conditions; (3) "The delivery was awful" demonstrates the importance of information being explained clearly and empathically; (4) "It was going in one ear and out the other" highlights the need for ongoing conversations with healthcare professionals, as retaining information provided in the early stages post-injury is often difficult; and (5) "Hope" not "false hope" discusses the importance of giving patients and family members hope while simultaneously being realistic about potential recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

SCI patients and family members had significant unmet information needs in acute care.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONSCI patients and family members had significant unmet information needs while in acute care. Being in non-specialist acute care significantly limited most participants' access to information.During the acute phase of care, most patients and family members would like to know the patient's recovery prognosis, the impact of SCI on the patient's functional independence, how to manage secondary complications, and what to expect in rehabilitation.As patients and family members often had difficulty absorbing information in the early stages post-injury, information should be continuously repeated, reinforced and clarified.HCPs should promote realistic hope for SCI patients and family members even in the absence of neurological recovery, by focusing on what the patient is still capable of while being honest about their prognosis.

Optimising GPs' communication of advice to facilitate patients' self-care and prompt follow-up when the diagnosis is uncertain: a realist review of 'safety-netting' in primary care

BACKGROUND

Safety-netting has become best practice when dealing with diagnostic uncertainty in primary care. Its use, however, is highly varied and a lack of evidence-based guidance on its communication could be harming its effectiveness and putting patient safety at risk.

OBJECTIVE

To use a realist review method to produce a programme theory of safety-netting, that is, advice and support provided to patients when diagnosis or prognosis is uncertain, in primary care.

METHODS

Five electronic databases, web searches, and grey literature were searched for studies assessing outcomes related to understanding and communicating safety-netting advice or risk communication, or the ability of patients to self-care and re-consult when appropriate. Characteristics of included documents were extracted into an Excel spreadsheet, and full texts uploaded into NVivo and coded. A random 10% sample was independently double -extracted and coded. Coded data wasere synthesised and itstheir ability to contribute an explanation for the contexts, mechanisms, or outcomes of effective safety-netting communication considered. Draft context, mechanism and outcome configurations (CMOCs) were written by the authors and reviewed by an expert panel of primary care professionals and patient representatives.

RESULTS

95 documents contributed to our CMOCs and programme theory. Effective safety-netting advice should be tailored to the patient and provide practical information for self-care and reconsultation. The importance of ensuring understanding and agreement with advice was highlighted, as was consideration of factors such as previous experiences with healthcare, the patient's personal circumstances and the consultation setting. Safety-netting advice should be documented in sufficient detail to facilitate continuity of care.

CONCLUSIONS

We present 15 recommendations to enhance communication of safety-netting advice and map these onto established consultation models. Effective safety-netting communication relies on understanding the information needs of the patient, barriers to acceptance and explanation of the reasons why the advice is being given. Reduced continuity of care, increasing multimorbidity and remote consultations represent threats to safety-netting communication.

The experience of family caregivers of ventilator-assisted individuals who participated in a pilot web-based peer support program: A qualitative study

Introduction

Family caregivers play an important role supporting the day-to-day needs of ventilator-assisted individuals (VAIs) living at home. Peer-to-peer communication can help support these caregivers and help them sustain caregiving in the community. Online peer-support has been suggested as a way to help meet caregivers’ support needs.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive approach was used to elicit the perspectives of support received from caregivers who participated in a pilot web-based peer support program from October to December 2018. Data were collected through the transcripts of weekly online peer-to-peer group chats. Data were analyzed using an integration of thematic and framework analysis.

Results

In total, eight caregivers and five peer mentors participated in the pilot. All five mentors and four of the caregivers participated in the weekly chats. We identified three themes, a) The experience of caregivers is characterized by unique challenges related to the complexity of VAI care including technology; b) Mentors and caregiver participants reciprocally share support; c) Despite hardships, there are things that make caregiving easier and joyful.

Discussion

Our results add to the growing body of evidence pointing to the importance of online communities for supporting vulnerable caregivers. The reciprocal element of peer support, where trained mentors and untrained participants both benefit from support, can help sustain peer-support interventions. Despite the challenges of providing care to a VAI, there are facilitators that may help ease the caregiving experience and caregivers can benefit from ongoing support that is tailored to their needs along the caregiving trajectory.

Coping, Social Support, and Caregiver Well-Being With Families Living With SCI: A Mixed Methods Study

OBJECTIVES

To explore coping, problem solving, social support, and well-being among family caregivers of adults with spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODS

This was a mixed methods study (qualitative interviews and standardized surveys) with a diverse sample of 39 adults with SCI and their caregivers from four rehabilitation hospitals in the United States, including one Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital. Cluster analysis was used to explore whether distinct profiles of caregivers could be identified, and it was used in conjunction with qualitative data to explore patterns in well-being. Measures of well-being included leisure time satisfaction, social integration, anxiety, depression, physical health complaints, caregiver burden, and quality of life.

RESULTS

The importance of individual and extra-individual resources, namely coping and social support, emerged from early qualitative analyses and guided subsequent mixed methods examination of the data. A cluster analysis yielded three caregiver profiles: (1) effective problem solvers with moderate satisfaction with social support, (2) mixed problem solvers with stronger negative orientations and mixed satisfaction with social support, and (3) low endorsers overall. Profiles helped us explore patterns across our data set and efficiently identify differences in caregiver social support, coping, well-being, and unmet needs.

CONCLUSION

Data echo the need for multimodal interventions aimed at skill development, respite options, and screening, support, information, and referral around mental health and burden. SCI care and rehabilitation programs should consider incorporating strategies for bolstering effective caregiver problem-solving skills, reducing negativity and ambivalence, and enhancing social support.

Experiences and views of receiving and delivering information about recovery in acquired neurological conditions: a systematic review of qualitative literature

OBJECTIVE

To review and synthesise qualitative literature relating to the views, perceptions and experiences of patients with acquired neurological conditions and their caregivers about the process of receiving information about recovery; as well as the views and experiences of healthcare professionals involved in delivering this information.

DESIGN

Systematic review of qualitative studies.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, Embase, AMED, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science and the Cochrane library were searched from their inception to July 2019.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Two reviewers extracted data from the included studies and assessed quality using an established tool. Thematic synthesis was used to synthesise the findings of included studies.

RESULTS

Searches yielded 9105 titles, with 145 retained for full-text screening. Twenty-eight studies (30 papers) from eight countries were included. Inductive analysis resulted in 11 descriptive themes, from which 5 analytical themes were generated: the right information at the right time; managing expectations; it's not what you say, it's how you say it; learning how to talk about recovery and manage emotions; the context of uncertainty.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the inherent challenges in talking about recovery in an emotional context, where breaking bad news is a key feature. Future interventions should focus on preparing staff to meet patients' and families' information needs, as well as ensuring they have the skills to discuss potential recovery and break bad news compassionately and share the uncertain trajectory characteristic of acquired neurological conditions. An agreed team-based approach to talking about recovery is recommended to ensure consistency and improve the experiences of patients and their families.

Telehealth Transition Assistance Program for Acute Spinal Cord Injury Caregivers: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods, Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

While spinal cord injury (SCI) caregiving can be a rewarding experience, caregivers often experience reduced mental and physical health.

OBJECTIVE

This article describes the methodology of a study examining the efficacy of a newly developed telehealth Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for caregivers of individuals with acute SCI.

METHODS

A mixed-methods, randomized controlled trial is comparing TAP outcomes to that of a standard-of-care control. The study is recruiting for 48 months and incorporating quantitative outcome measures.

RESULTS

This study was funded by the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation in April 2017. It was approved by the institutional review boards at Virginia Commonwealth University and the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center that same year. Participant recruitment and data collection began in 2018.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is implementing and testing an SCI caregiver intervention unlike any created before, targeting a critical time period that, until now, other SCI caregiver interventions have overlooked. Research personnel intend to disseminate the intervention and study findings through the publication of manuscripts and presentations at conferences. If the current study shows improvements in caregiver or patient well-being, the TAP for SCI caregivers could become part of the standard of care for acute SCI.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03244098; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03244098.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/28256.

EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION TO INCREASE THE SKILL OF INFORMAL CAREGIVERS: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL PILOT STUDY

ABSTRACT Objective to compare the skill of informal caregivers to care for dependent people undergoing educational planning discharge intervention with and without follow-up at home. Method this is a quasi-experimental, randomized, simple pilot study, with pre and post-test, not blind, however, with blind assessment of the outcomes, with two follow-up interventions. It was carried out between October 2019 and January 2020 in Maringá, Brazil, with 21 informal caregivers of dependent people, randomized to Intervention Group I and Intervention Group II. Group I underwent an educational intervention consisting of guidance and training during the hospitalization period, with follow-up after hospital discharge by nurses at home, and participants in Group II received only guidance at the hospital. To assess the difference in the level of skill, the COPER 14 instrument was used, applied at times 0, week 1 and week 4, submitting the results to analysis of variance. Results group I had more than twice as much (mean score=8.94) of skill as Group II (mean score=3.90), with a significant increase in practically all the variables analyzed. A significant increase in the score ranks was detected between the variables cognitive and behavioral skill (1.19 - 3.00, p=0.001), psychomotor (1.13 - 3.00, p=0.001) and relational (1.75 - 2.75, p=0.037) in Group I. Conclusion the educational intervention given to the Intervention Group I (IG-I) was effective in increasing the skill of informal caregivers of dependent people. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials RBR-5rzmzf.

Performance of Everyday Occupations and Perceived Health of Spouses of Men With Spinal Cord Injury at Discharge and 6 Months Later

STUDY DESIGN

An exploratory longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES

(a) Compare the occupational performance, and life satisfaction of spouses of men with SCI with those of spouses of healthy men, (b) compare the occupational performance, perceived health, and life satisfaction of spouses of men with SCI at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and 6 months postdischarge; and (c) assess whether the functioning levels of men with SCI and the perceived mental health of the spouse, correlate with her occupational performance.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Spouses of men with spinal cord injury (SCI) report having symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, their ability to choose everyday occupations and perform them satisfactorily (occupational performance) was less studied.

METHODS

Fifteen women spouses of men with SCI and 15 women spouses of healthy men participated. Study measures included four self-report questionnaires and the Occupational Performance History Interview that was analyzed quantitatively and measured occupational performance by three components: occupational identity, competence, and settings.

RESULTS

Occupational performance and life satisfaction of caregivers were lower than those of spouses of healthy men and did not significantly change over 6 months. However, they had higher scores on physical, mental, and general health 6 months postdischarge than at discharge. Mental health of the spouse correlated with her occupational identity.

CONCLUSION

It is recommended that rehabilitation intervention focus not only on patients with SCI, but also on their healthy spouses to promote their occupational performance, health, and well-being.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Having caregiving responsibilities affects management of fragility fractures and bone health

In this secondary analysis of six qualitative studies, we found that approximately one-quarter of individuals with fragility fracture were serving as informal caregivers. The caregiving role appeared to be a cause of the fracture for some and was prioritized over bone health, acting as a barrier to bone health management.

INTRODUCTION

Among fragility fracture patients serving as informal caregivers, our objective was to examine how caregiving responsibilities were associated with, and possibly impacted by, the fracture experience and the resulting management of bone health.

METHODS

We conducted a secondary analysis (amplified analysis) of six qualitative studies to understand caregiver responsibilities and the relationship between these responsibilities and patients' management of the fracture and bone health. The primary studies and the secondary analysis were conducted from a phenomenological approach. Eligible individuals in the primary studies were English-speaking men and women who were 45+ years old recruited from three settings (local, provincial, and national).

RESULTS

Without being prompted to talk about their experience of caregiving, 33 of 145 (23%) individuals reported they were providing care to a family member or friend at the time of their fracture or during recovery post-fracture. The experience of having caregiving responsibilities was related to the fracture and bone health in two ways: (1) the caregiving role appeared to be a cause of the fracture in some participants and (2) caregiving was prioritized over participants' own bone health and was a barrier to bone health management.

CONCLUSION

Fragility fracture is associated with, and potentially leads to an impairment of, an important social role in patients providing physical and emotional support and supervision for dependents as caregivers. Further, an important cause of fragility fracture can occur in the act of caregiving.

Triangle of Healthy Caregiving for Veterans With Spinal Cord Injury: Proposal for a Mixed Methods Study

Background

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating injury that results in chronic paralysis, impaired functioning, and drastically altered quality of life (QOL). The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that approximately 450 newly injured veterans and active-duty members receive rehabilitation at VA’s Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders Centers annually. VA virtual health services use technology and health informatics to provide veterans with better access and more effective care management. The “Triangle of Healthy Caregiving for SCI Veterans” is a patient-centered intervention that incorporates SCI veterans’ caregivers into the VA SCI health care team and extends into the homes of veterans with SCI by using real-time clinical video teleconferencing (CVT). CVT facilitates video-clinic visits, which can include different types of clinical evaluations, therapy (physical/occupational), or psychosocial services. The “Triangle of Healthy Caregiving for SCI Veterans” builds on interactive, interdisciplinary health care relationships that exist between the veterans with SCI, their caregivers, and the VA SCI health care team. SCI veterans’ propensity to multiple secondary complications makes a healthy partnership crucial for the success of keeping better health and functional outcomes as well as quality of life while living in their homes.

Objective

The goal of the proposed mixed methods project will assess SCI veterans’, their caregivers’, and the VA health care team’s perspectives and experiences in the “Triangle of Healthy Caregiving for SCI Veterans” to determine the benefits, challenges, and outcomes for everyone involved in the intervention.

Methods

Data collection methods will be implemented over three sequential phases. First, in-depth interviews will be conducted with the telehealth coordinators to systematically document the administrative procedures involved in enrollment of veterans with SCI into the CVT system. Next, structured observation of the CVT enrollment process and logistics of home installation of the CVT system will be conducted to validate the content of the in-depth interviews and highlight any discrepancies observed. Semistructured interviews will be conducted to assess specific elements of the “Triangle of Healthy Caregiving for SCI Veterans” program, their perceived utility, and effectiveness of the CVT system as well as the general impressions of the impact of the intervention on the SCI veterans’ health and function outcomes, caregiver burden, and daily caregiver burden. Finally, the research team will conduct a focus group to evaluate the ways in which the “Triangle of Healthy Caregiving for SCI Veterans” is useful for health care delivery to veterans with SCI and support services to SCI caregivers.

Results

This proposal was funded in July 2017. It was reviewed and received institutional review board approval in March 2018, and the project was started immediately after, in the same month. As of September 2019, we have completed Phases I and III and have recruited 52 subjects for Phase II. We are beginning the data analysis. The study is projected to be completed in late summer of 2020, and the expected results are to be published in the fall of 2020.

Conclusions

The findings from this study will highlight the ways in which virtual health care technologies can be used to improve access to SCI specialized care for veterans and provide an estimation of the potential impact on clinical outcomes for veterans with SCI and their caregivers.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/14051

Identifying Required Skills to Enhance Family Caregiver Competency in Caring for Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury Living in the Community

Background: Due to the earlier discharge of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), family caregivers are often left with limited time for learning caregiving skills, and they usually feel unprepared to undertake the caregiver role. Objective: Considering the key role of family caregivers in maintaining the overall health and well-being of the individual with SCI, the objective of this study was to determine the breadth of skills needed by family caregivers to enhance their competency in caring for individuals with SCI living in the community. Methods: A qualitative descriptive approach was used with semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to determine key themes arising from the experiences of individuals with SCI (n= 19) and their family members (n = 15). Results: Twenty-nine SCI family caregiving skills were identified and grouped into six caregiving processes signifying the multiple dimensions of the SCI caregiving role. These include monitoring and managing physical health and secondary health conditions, providing for psychosocial needs, decision making, time management, being flexible, and navigating the health and social services system. Conclusion: The current study demonstrated that development of multiple caregiving skills is crucial to enhance family members' competency in caregiving. These findings should further alert health care professionals that assessment of caregiving skills at regular intervals is necessary to help caregivers achieve mastery in situations where they are facing caregiving difficulties. Future programs need to be designed to include the skills that family caregivers need and use in real-life caregiving situations.

Impact of simulation-based learning on family caregivers during the rehabilitation period of individuals with spinal cord injury

STUDY DESIGN

Mixed-methods study.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the knowledge that family caregivers of individuals with spinal cord injuries acquired through the use of a high-fidelity simulation-based learning (SBL) program.

SETTING

The study was comprised of three phases: a previous qualitative research study detecting training needs, one in which clinical simulation scenarios were designed, and a final quasi-experimental phase in which ten caregivers of individuals with spinal cord injuries were trained in their care using simulations at the Toledo National Hospital for Paraplegics (Spain).

METHODS

The competences acquired by the family were evaluated before and after the simulation training. A researcher-validated tool for each scenario was utilized for this evaluation.

RESULTS

Four learning scenarios were designed based on the needs identified through the caregiver interviews. Following the training of the caregivers with SBL, an increase in their knowledge and skills was identified. For all the scenarios, the caregivers obtained a higher average score on the post test than on the pre test, and these differences were significant (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Simulation training is a useful and efficient learning tool for caregivers of individuals with a spinal cord injury.

Re-building relationships after a spinal cord injury: experiences of family caregivers and care recipients

BACKGROUND

Following spinal cord injury (SCI), family members are often called upon to undertake the caregiving role. This change in the nature of the relationship between the individuals with SCI and their families can lead to emotional, psychological, and relationship challenges. There is limited research on how individuals with SCI and their family caregivers adapt to their new lives post-injury, or on which dyadic coping strategies are used to maintain relationships. Thus, the objectives of this study were to obtain an in-depth understanding of 1) the experiences and challenges within a caregiving relationship post-SCI among spouses, as well as parents and adult children; and 2) the coping strategies used by caregivers and care recipients to maintain/rebuild their relationships.

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive approach with an exploratory design was used. Semi-structured face-to-face and telephone interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes arising from individuals with SCI's (n = 19) and their family caregivers' (n = 15) experiences.

RESULTS

Individuals with SCI and family caregivers spoke in-depth and openly about their experiences and challenges post-injury, with two emerging themes (including subsequent sub-themes). The first theme of deterioration of relationship, which reflects the challenges experienced/factors that contributed to disintegration in a relationship post-injury, included: protective behaviours, asymmetrical dependency, loss of sex and intimacy, and difficulty adapting. The second theme of re-building/maintaining the relationship, which reflects the strategies used by dyads to adjust to the changes within the relationship brought upon by the injury, included: interdependence, shifting commonalities, adding creativity into routine, and creating a new normal.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings should alert healthcare professionals and peer support groups as to the need for possible education and training (e.g., coping strategies, communication skills training) as well as counseling prior to discharge to assist individuals with SCI and family caregivers with adaptation to a new life post-injury.

Facilitators and barriers to supporting individuals with spinal cord injury in the community: experiences of family caregivers and care recipients

Purpose: Family members make an important contribution to informal and formal care, as well as the overall health and wellbeing of individuals with spinal cord injury. Caregiving often results in negative outcomes which, if not addressed, threaten the sustainability of these critical supports. We sought to explore the perceptions of individuals with spinal cord injury and their family caregivers regarding the facilitators and barriers to undertaking and sustaining the caregiving role in the community.Methods: A qualitative descriptive approach with semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to determine key themes arising from individuals with spinal cord injury (n = 19) and their family members' (n = 16) experiences.Results: The following four facilitators to caregiving were identified: access to community support services, positive coping in relationship, social support, and mastery of caregiving roles. Conversely, the following six barriers to caregiving were identified: lack of access to community resources, lack of knowledge about resources and formal training, fragmented continuity of care, negative coping in relationship, role strain, and caregiver injury or illness.Conclusions: The current study demonstrated that positive coping, social support, skills training, access to community services and continuity of care contribute significantly to the sustainability of the spinal cord injury family caregiving role. As such, the development of future caregiver interventions should consider these facilitators.Implications for RehabilitationFamily caregivers make an important contribution to the care processes and overall quality of life of individuals with spinal cord injury post-discharge into the community.The potential negative effects of caregiving could threaten the sustainability of these critical supports.Positive coping, social support, skills training, access to community services, and continuity of care contribute significantly to the sustainability of the spinal cord injury family caregiving role.This study shows the need for better integration of family members during the rehabilitation and discharge process to better prepare them for the caregiving role.

Significant others' experience of hospitalized patients' transfer to home: A systematic review and meta-synthesis

BACKGROUND

Significant others are individuals representing family members or neighbors, friends, colleagues or members of the same household, who act as relatives or surrogates. Significant others play an important role when patients are transferred or discharged after hospitalization.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review is to identify, appraise and synthesize the best available evidence exploring significant others' experiences of the discharge or transfer of adult patients after hospitalization.

METHODS

A qualitative comprehensive systematic review and meta aggregation.

TYPES OF PARTICIPANTS

Participants of this review are the 'significant other(s); persons who are important or influential to the patient's life.

PHENOMENA OF INTEREST

How the significant others' experience hospitalized patients' transitions and the psychosocial and existential issues during transfer from hospital to home.

CONTEXT

Studies that investigate the organizational culture during hospitalization.

TYPES OF STUDIES

Studies that focus on qualitative data including, but not limited to, designs such as phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, action research and feminist research.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The search aimed at finding published and unpublished studies in English, German, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian, and was unrestricted by time. Eleven electronic databases and eleven websites were searched.

CRITICAL APPRAISAL

Methodological validity of the qualitative papers was assessed independently by two reviewers using the standardized critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data were extracted from papers included in the review using the standardized data extraction tool from the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Qualitative research findings were synthesized.

RESULTS

A total of 189 findings from twelve studies were aggregated into three categories. An aggregated finding was generated based on the primary studies: SOs existential strength is linked to preparations for the discharge including care planning meeting(s) and learning-by-doing care activities led by health care providers during hospitalizations.

CONCLUSIONS

The studies in this review provided useful and credible statements from caregivers' voices that are not previously aggregated nor presented. The findings enlighten both positive and burdensome experiences in the everyday life of caring for a significant other after discharge.

Relationships and the transition from spinal units to community for people with a first spinal cord injury: A New Zealand qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) can have substantial consequences for the injured person, and also their family/whānau (Māori word for extended family and social networks). Family members can adopt either formal or informal care roles when the person returns home, and people with high-level care requirements may also need non-family support workers.

OBJECTIVE

This study considers how SCI can impact relationships during the transition from spinal rehabilitation units to home.

METHOD

Nineteen SCI participants from the New Zealand longitudinal study were interviewed six months post-discharge from either of New Zealand's two spinal units. Data were analysed using the framework method.

RESULTS

Three themes captured participants' relationship experiences during the time of transition: Role Disruption, examines how participants' pre-SCI family/whānau relationships underwent change as previously understood parameters of engagement were disrupted. A Balancing Act, explores the challenge of renegotiating previously-understood parameters between participants and whānau. The Stranger in My/Our Room focuses on how the relationship between participants and support workers was (necessarily) new to the participant and their family/whānau who now had an 'outsider' episodically or continuously in their home. The specifics of 'their' relationship was also new to the support worker; and negotiating the parameters of this relationship could only occur on transition home.

CONCLUSION

SCI necessitates a renegotiation of relationships and, for some, also involves the negotiation of a new type of relationship with support workers. Understanding the ways a SCI may affect relationships can enable rehabilitation services to best support people with SCI and their family to prepare for their transition home.

Perspectives From Family Caregivers of Persons With Spinal Cord Injury in Hospital Versus Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study

PURPOSE

The study aims to assess differences in family preferences for involvement in the ongoing care of a hospitalized family member with spinal cord injury based on whether the patient was hospitalized for initial rehabilitation (Group R) or hospitalized to treat secondary complications (Group C).

DESIGN

Explorative cross-sectional design.

METHOD

Family members rated the importance and experience of involvement on five subscales of the Patient Participation in Rehabilitation Questionnaire. Differences among the importance and experience scores between the groups were tested using the Mann-Whitney U test.

FINDINGS

Group C scored the importance to be involved significantly higher than Group R (M = 3.17 vs. M = 4.04, p =.01). No other significant differences between groups were detected.

CONCLUSION

Family members of patients hospitalized for secondary complications want greater involvement in care compared to those hospitalized for rehabilitation.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results indicate the need for tailored interventions using a family-centered approach and ongoing needs assessment.

Relatives of people with spinal cord injury: a qualitative study of caregivers' metamorphosis

STUDY DESIGN

Qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE

To detect the major challenges and needs reported by family member caregivers of people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

SETTING

Family member caregivers of people with SCI and expert professionals were evaluated. This study was conducted in Spain, and most of the participants attended the National Paraplegics Hospital of Toledo.

METHODS

We performed 25 semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed from a phenomenological perspective using the Colaizzi method.

RESULTS

The metamorphosis of the caregiver is a complex personal and family-related process. Analysis of the adjustment phase of the caregiving role allowed us to describe three stages, patterns, and trends. Five basic needs were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

People with SCI and their primary caregivers experienced changes in every sphere of their lives. Their most important needs were psychological support, social support, economic resources, information, training throughout the process of suffering, and the creation of informal groups of mutual aid.

Integrating the perspectives of individuals with spinal cord injuries, their family caregivers and healthcare professionals from the time of rehabilitation admission to community reintegration: protocol for a scoping study on SCI needs

INTRODUCTION

There is fragmented information about the different needs following a spinal cord injury (SCI). Expressed SCI needs can be met or unmet, they change along the rehabilitation continuum (eg, acute, rehabilitation and reintegration into the community) and can be different for traumatic and non traumatic SCI. The general objective of this scoping study is to evaluate and integrate the needs of individuals with traumatic and non-traumatic SCI, their family caregivers and those reported by rehabilitation professionals from the time of rehabilitation admission to community reintegration. The specific objectives are to: (A) synthesise the needs of individuals with SCI as perceived by themselves, their family caregivers and rehabilitation professionals using two theoretical models, (B) classify needs as met and unmet, (C) explore the evolution of met/unmet needs from the time of rehabilitation admission to community reintegration and (D) provide recommendations to improve SCI care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: (A) identifying the most frequent met and unmet needs reported by adults with traumatic and non-traumatic SCI, their family caregivers and their rehabilitation professionals from the time of rehabilitation admission to community reintegration; (B) identifying relevant studies with a search in electronic databases; (C) charting the data based on categories refined and adjusted with a stakeholder group; (D) collating, summarising and reporting the results using two analytical frameworks (Maslow's hierarchical model of human needs and the Ferrans et al's model of health-related quality of life) and (E) a stakeholder consultation phase.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The results of this scoping study will allow understanding SCI needs from the time of rehabilitation admission to community reintegration from the perspective of different stakeholders. An integrated master report combining the needs of individuals with SCI from the perspectives of different stakeholders from the time of rehabilitation admission to community reintegration will follow the consultation meetings.

The experience of patients with ABI and their families during the hospital stay: A systematic review of qualitative literature

BACKGROUND

Patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) and their families have unique experiences and needs during the hospital stay; yet, limited literature exists on this topic. The purpose of this systematic review was to compile and synthesize literature on the experience of patients with ABI and their families during the hospital stay.

METHODS

A systematic review of qualitative studies was conducted by searching for studies from seven databases. Content analysis was used to analyse and synthesize studies' findings separately for the patient and family experience.

RESULTS

The initial search provided 2871 records. Ultimately, 11 studies relevant to the research question were included in this review. No studies were excluded based on critical quality appraisal. Findings on the patient experience showed patients had negative perceptions of the rehabilitation environment and a perceived need for information. Findings on the family experience included difficulty adjusting after the patient's injury, a desire to be involved in the patient's care, mixed feelings about staff support and a high perceived need for information.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings provide awareness for healthcare providers on the multifaceted experiences of patients with ABI and their families during the hospital stay, strategies to make care more patient- and family-centred and directions for future research.

If they are OK, we are OK: the experience of partners living with neuromyelitis optica

AIM

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a rare neuro-inflammatory condition characterized by acute relapses causing severe visual or physical disability. The impact on family members and their experiences have not been studied. The study aims were to explore the lived experience of partners of people with NMO and to investigate potential carer burden in this population.

METHOD

A mixed-method design was used; 11 partners of people with NMO completed semi-structured interviews; 54 partners completed Zarit Burden Interview and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

RESULTS

Three qualitative themes influenced partners' quality of life (QoL): role/relationship; it's all about them; and the impact of NMO. Life changed dramatically for participants after the first NMO attack, necessitating responsibility for physical, financial, social, and emotional support. As NMO symptoms improved and stabilized, freedom and QoL for spouses also improved, albeit with on-going worries regarding the impact of potential devastating future relapses. Quantitative findings showed mild/moderate carer burden (46%), mild/moderate anxiety (59%), and mild/moderate depression (24%). No partner indicated severe carer burden, anxiety, or depression.

CONCLUSION

Participants regarded themselves as partners rather than carers whom require assessment and support for their emotional and health well-being. Health-care professionals need to acknowledge the important role partners play in the dynamics of the family unit, through greater discussion and inclusion. Implications for Rehabilitation NMO has a strong impact on couples, resulting in both physical caregiving needs and anxiety regarding the unpredictability of potential devastating relapses. Partners do not necessarily experience clinically significant "burden", anxiety or depression, and tools which screen for this may not capture the nature of their experiences. Health-care professionals need to acknowledge, consult, and respect the experience of partners during assessment and implementation of action plans. Partners should be individually assessed based upon the physical and emotional dependency created by NMO to improve their health and well-being.

Road Traffic Accident Victims' Experiences of Return to Normal Life: A Qualitative Study

Background

Road traffic accident (RTA) victims also suffer from different types of injuries and disabilities, which can affect their quality of life. They usually face with various physical, mental, and social problems. Most traffic accident victims had difficulty to return to normal life.

Objectives

This study aimed to understand the experiences of return to normal life in RTA victims.

Patients and Methods

This qualitative study with content analysis approach was conducted on 18 Iranian patients with disability in the upper or lower limbs caused by traffic accidents, who had passed a time between 3 months till 2 years. A purposeful sampling method was applied until reaching data saturation. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Afterwards, the gathered data were analyzed through conventional content analysis.

Results

By analyzing 498 primary codes, four main categories, including supportive needs, adaptation to the new situation, seeking information, and transition from functional limitation, were extracted from traffic accident victims’ experiences of reintegration to normal life.

Conclusions

The results of this study may help policy-makers to take steps toward health promotion and recovery of RTA victims. Considering the results of this study, it is a need for further research to investigate RTAs victims’ needs for reintegration to home and community. Access to training and supportive facilities like strong therapeutic, nursing and social support, and the possibility to participate in self-care activities is essential for reintegration to community in RTA victims.