The voices of people with an intellectual disability and a carer about orthopaedic and trauma hospital care in the UK: An interpretative phenomenological study.

INTRODUCTION

People with intellectual disabilities have a greater prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries than the general population. Orthopaedic and trauma hospital care has not been investigated with this group who seldom have their voices heard or their experiences valued and interpreted.

AIM

To understand the orthopaedic and trauma hospital experiences from the perspective of people with intellectual disabilities.

METHODS

A qualitative approach, focusing on peoples' lived experiences was utilised. A purposive sample of five participants was recruited and one-to-one, semi-structured interviews were undertaken. Analysis of the interviews employed an interpretative phenomenological analytical framework.

FINDINGS

There were communication challenges, a lack of person-centred care, issues with pain management, a lack of confidence in hospital care, valuable support and expertise of carers, incompetence of hospital staff and isolation and loneliness.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

There were significant short comings as people with intellectual disabilities and a carer perceived they were unsupported and received poor care. Recommendations for practice: Person-centred care is needed along with specific education and training, including close liaison with the experts by experience - people with intellectual disabilities, their carers as well as the specialists in intellectual disability.