Article

This research explored the experience of receiving medical and
rehabilitation intervention for rural and remote residents in North Queensland,
Australia who had experienced a traumatic hand injury.
This study contributes to
larger project that seeks to propose a model of service delivery to rural and
remote residents who have sustained a traumatic injury. METHODS: Utilising an
interpretive phenomenological research design, data was gathered through
in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Fifteen participants were recruited into
this study and questions were designed to explore the experience of receiving
medical and rehabilitation intervention following a traumatic hand injury for
residents in rural and remote areas of North Queensland. RESULTS: The major
themes that emerged were experience of medical intervention, experience of
rehabilitation, travel, and technology. Participants felt that medical
practitioners had a lack of local knowledge and were concerned that delays in
medical intervention resulted in ongoing impairment. They reported following the
exercise program they were given, often modifying it to fit with their daily
routine. Metropolitan therapists appeared to have limited understanding of issues
relevant to rural and remote lifestyles. There was, quite often, no occupational
therapist or physiotherapist at their local facility due to staff turnover, and,
when available, they had limited experience in hand injuries. The distance and
cost of travel to appointments were of significant concern. The use of telehealth
or telerehabilitation received a mixed response. CONCLUSION: Findings highlight
the concerns regarding the provision of healthcare to rural and remote residents
following a traumatic hand injury. These results provide the basis for
recommendations surrounding the development of programs and service delivery
models to address diverse needs in rural and remote areas.

Langue : ANGLAIS