Orthopaedic trauma patients’ experiences with emergency department care and follow-up through Virtual Fracture Care review: a qualitative study

Orthopaedic trauma patients’ experiences with emergency department care and follow-up through Virtual Fracture Care review: a qualitative study

ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify factors influencing orthopaedic trauma patients’ experiences and satisfaction with emergency department (ED) care and follow-up through Virtual Fracture Care (VFC) review workflow.DesignThis study employed an explorative, descriptive, qualitative design using i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMJ open Vol. 14; no. 2; p. e076040
Main Authors: Willinge, Gijs JA, Spierings, Jelle F, Mathijssen, Elke M, Goslings, J Carel, Twigt, Bas T, van Veen, Ruben N
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England British Medical Journal Publishing Group 21-02-2024
BMJ Publishing Group LTD
BMJ Publishing Group
Series:Original research
Subjects:
ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Aftercare
Data analysis
Data collection
Emergency medical care
Emergency Service, Hospital
Emergency Treatment
Fractures, Bone - therapy
Hospitalization
Hospitals
Humans
Medical personnel
Orthopaedic & trauma surgery
Orthopedics
Participation
Patient Satisfaction
Professionals
Qualitative Research
Researchers
Surgeons
Surgery
Teams
Telemedicine
Trauma
Trauma care
Trauma Centers
Trauma management
Urban Population
Netherlands
Trauma management
ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Orthopaedic & trauma surgery
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Summary:ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify factors influencing orthopaedic trauma patients’ experiences and satisfaction with emergency department (ED) care and follow-up through Virtual Fracture Care (VFC) review workflow.DesignThis study employed an explorative, descriptive, qualitative design using individual, semistructured interviews.SettingAn urban level 2 trauma centre and teaching hospital in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.ParticipantsEligible patients were Dutch-speaking or English-speaking orthopaedic trauma patients, aged 18 years or above, who visited the hospital’s ED between June and September 2022, and were treated through VFC review workflow. Exclusion criteria were: reason for follow-up other than injury, eye/motor/verbal score <15 at ED admission, follow-up treatment in another hospital, treatment initiated in another hospital, acute hospital admission (<24 hours). Twenty-three patients were invited for participation, of whom 15 participated and were interviewed.ResultsSeveral influential factors contributed to seven generic themes: (1) waiting times, (2) information provision, (3) healthcare professional communication, (4) care expectations, (5) care coordination, (6) care environment and (7) patient condition. Overall, participants were satisfied with received care. Interpersonal skills of healthcare professionals, and timing and content of provided information were specifically valued. Additionally, patients stated that their needs in the ED differed from those after ED discharge, and appreciated the way the VFC review workflow addressed this. Points of improvement included more active involvement of patients in the care process and prevention of inconsistent instructions by different healthcare professionals.ConclusionsPatient experiences with ED care and VFC review follow-up are influenced by factors categorised into seven themes. The VFC review workflow effectively addresses these factors, leading to positive feedback. Recommendations for healthcare professionals include anticipating evolving post-ED information needs, engaging patients early to provide clarity about the care process, involving them in treatment decisions and expanding information provision across the entire care pathway.
Bibliography:Original research
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ISSN:2044-6055
2044-6055
DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076040