Journal article
The functional impact of a traumatic hand injury: a comparison of rural/ remote and metropolitan/ regional populations
International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, Vol.23(9), pp.406-413
2016
Abstract
Background/Aims: The aim of this research was to explore the commonalities and differences in the issues associated with the functional recovery and rehabilitation of a traumatic hand injury experienced by people in rural/remote and metropolitan/regional areas of North Queensland, Australia. Methods: Responses to a previously mailed survey exploring the functional impact on a rural/remote population and a metropolitan/regional population were used for analysis and comparison. Findings: Both populations reported a loss of movement, pain and stiffness, and a significantly greater percentage of metropolitan/regional respondents reported a loss of strength. Leisure and work tasks were affected for both groups as a result of their impairment. Rural and remote respondents would have liked more appointments but found that it was expensive to get to them. There was a significant reduction for both populations of respondents reporting their occupation as labourers after having a hand injury. There was also a significant increase in those who reported undertaking home duties, were pensioners or unemployed. Conclusion: A traumatic hand injury can have a moderate to extreme impact on work and leisure, regardless of residential location. Contextual factors related to living in rural and remote areas can be both a barrier and a facilitator to participation in functional activities. A review of service provision in rural/remote areas to address concerns regarding the expense of attending appointments and the minimal number of appointments required for rural and remote residents following a traumatic hand injury is recommended. Distance technology such as telehealth can increase flexibility of treatment and reduce the requirement to travel. The ongoing development and implementation of this technology is important to facilitate equitable health care between rural/remote and metropolitan/regional populations.
Details
- Title
- The functional impact of a traumatic hand injury: a comparison of rural/ remote and metropolitan/ regional populations
- Authors
- Gail A Kingston (Author) - James Cook UniversityGary Williams (Author) - James Cook UniversityJenni Judd (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyMarion Gray (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Publication details
- International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, Vol.23(9), pp.406-413
- Publisher
- Mark Allen Group
- Date published
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.12968/ijtr.2016.23.9.406
- ISSN
- 1741-1645
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450471602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
4 File views/ downloads
808 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Rehabilitation
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites