Factors Affecting the Delivery and Acceptability of the ROWTATE Telehealth Vocational Rehabilitation Intervention for Traumatic Injury Survivors: A Mixed-Methods Study

Kettlewell, Jade; Lindley, Rebecca; Radford, Kate; Patel, Priya; Bridger, Kay; Kellezi, Blerina; Timmons, Stephen; Andrews, Isabel; Fallon, Stephen; Lannin, Natasha; Holmes, Jain; Kendrick, Denise

Abstract

Background: Returning to work after traumatic injury can be problematic. We developed a vocational telerehabilitation (VR) intervention for trauma survivors, delivered by trained occupational therapists (OTs) and clinical psychologists (CPs), and explored factors affecting delivery and acceptability in a feasibility study. Methods: Surveys pre-(5 OTs, 2 CPs) and post-training (3 OTs, 1 CP); interviews pre-(5 OTs, 2 CPs) and post-intervention (4 trauma survivors, 4 OTs, 2 CPs). Mean survey scores for 14 theoretical domains identified telerehabilitation barriers (score ≤ 3.5) and facilitators (score ≥ 5). Interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed. Results: Surveys: pre-training, the only barrier was therapists’ intentions to use telerehabilitation (mean = 3.40 ± 0.23), post-training, 13/14 domains were facilitators. Interviews: barriers/facilitators included environmental context/resources (e.g., technology, patient engagement, privacy/disruptions, travel and access); beliefs about capabilities (e.g., building rapport, complex assessments, knowledge/confidence, third-party feedback and communication style); optimism (e.g., impossible assessments, novel working methods, perceived importance and patient/therapist reluctance) and social/professional role/identity (e.g., therapeutic methods). Training and experience of intervention delivery addressed some barriers and increased facilitators. The intervention was acceptable to trauma survivors and therapists. Conclusion: Despite training and experience in intervention delivery, some barriers remained. Providing some face-to-face delivery where necessary may address certain barriers, but strategies are required to address other barriers.

Citation

Kettlewell, J., Lindley, R., Radford, K., Patel, P., Bridger, K., Kellezi, B., Timmons, S., Andrews, I., Fallon, S., Lannin, N., Holmes, J., & Kendrick, D. (2021). Factors Affecting the Delivery and Acceptability of the ROWTATE Telehealth Vocational Rehabilitation Intervention for Traumatic Injury Survivors: A Mixed-Methods Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(18), Article 9744. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189744

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 14, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Sep 16, 2021
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Sep 14, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 22, 2021
• Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Print ISSN: 1661-7827
• Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 18
• Article Number: 9744
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189744
• Keywords: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis; Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/6239275
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/18/9744
• Additional Information: Authors on behalf of the ROWTATE Team