FACILITATORS AND BARRIERS TO HEALTHCARE ENGAGEMENT ctrevino@mcw.edu

 

FACILITATORS AND BARRIERS TO HEALTHCARE ENGAGEMENT

3

 

 

 

 

United States

Oral only

The Trauma Quality of Life (TQOL) follow up clinic for firearm injury survivors has been addressing the biopsychosocial needs of survivors after hospitalization for their injuries through multidisciplinary innovative holistic care. A qualitative analysis of patient experience with their follow up care was completed. The study aim was to identify facilitators and barriers to patient engagement in healthcare after firearm injury.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients who were discharged from a US Level 1 Trauma Center after a firearm injury. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and uploaded into MAXQDA for analysis. An inductive thematic analysis approach was completed and validated by two researchers.  

Nine participants attended the TQOL clinic after discharge, and one participant did not attend TQOL. Five themes were identified: 1) Patients reported their firearm injury was a major traumatic event in their life that led to continuing physical and mental health issues; 2) barriers to accessing care included transportation issues, lack of readiness to accept support beyond physical health needs; 3) patients’ needs were addressed by TQOL, 4) a lack of understanding of the ability for healthcare systems to address issues outside of physical health concerns inhibited help-seeking among patients; 5) prior experience with the healthcare system facilitated an understanding among patients that the healthcare system can be a place to go for resources and support.

Overall, the TQOL clinic provided comprehensive holistic care that addressed biopsychosocial needs of firearm injury survivors and provided support and resources to address these needs.