Distal Radius Fracture and Family Role Responsibilities: Patients’ Perceptions of Their Partners’ Contributions to Family Role Responsibilities During the Early Recovery

Abstract

Background: Distal radius fracture is a prevalent upper extremity injury. Exploring partners’ role in providing support from the patients’ perspective may influence the experience of recovery following this injury. Moreover, describing coping strategies applied by patients and their partners to complete their family role responsibilities can promote recovery outcomes. Objectives: The objective of this research is to explore: the lived experiences of patients with distal radius fracture and their perspective on their partners’ contribution to completing family role responsibilities during their recovery; implemented coping strategies, and analyze their perspectives through a sex and gender lens. Methods: A Semi-structured interview was conducted with persons in the acute recovery stage following a distal radius fracture who had partners. We recorded, transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed twelve interviews. A process of constant comparison was applied until data saturation occurred. Trustworthiness techniques were used in data analysis and included peer reviews. Results: The interviews with twelve persons with distal radius fracture reflected six themes. Four themes emerged with respect to the partners’ contribution to providing support for patients in 1) the emergency time after the fracture; 2) physical family chores; 3) social and recreational activities, and 4) emotional support. The fifth theme described that person with DRF valued diverse support; informational support from health professionals was demanding and necessary from the person’s perspective. The sixth theme informed different coping strategies applied to minimize the physical and emotional burdens of the fracture. The impact of gender on the pattern of seeking/receiving social support was discussed as the secondary purpose of this study; women required instrumental and emotional support while the emotional status of men did not affect by distal radius fracture. However, this finding of gender differences is required more future investigation. Conclusion: Multiple social support provided by partners to persons with a distal radius fracture to complete family roles were highlighted through patients’ perspectives. Also, implemented coping strategies within families were explored. However, partners’ perspectives and experiences are required to promote our knowledge of patients’ and their partners’ needs to complete family roles during the early recovery.