The effectiveness of occupational therapy on older patients who have undergone surgery for hip fracture : linking process to outcome

Abstract

Objective: The main objectives of the study were to determine (1) the effectiveness of the occupational therapy methods of intervention and (2) the effect of patients' involvement in goal setting on the outcome of rehabilitation of elderly hip fracture patients. Design: A quasi-experimental prospective study was carried out. The data was collected through the use of two questionnaires that included information on the process goal setting and occupational therapy intervention with this client group. The patient questionnaire included mainly close-ended questions (with both nominal and ordinal response categories that were converted into numerical responses to provide quantitative data). The staff questionnaire provided qualitative information that was used for the process of triangulation and to obtain in depth knowledge on the rehabilitation provided. A two-month follow up study assessed the long-term outcomes of occupational therapy. Setting: The study took place in a sub-acute rehabilitation and medical hospital for older persons aged 60 years and over. Participants: Fifty patients who had sustained a proximal femoral fracture and were receiving in-patient services at Zammit Clapp Hospital (between September 2001 and June 2002) were included in the study. Six occupational therapists providing the occupational therapy services at the hospital completed the staff questionnaire.