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ABSTRACT
Background of study: Mobility deficit is an independent predictor of hospital readmission, and yet mobility assessment is not a routine process during hospitals to home discharge in Nigerian hospitals. This warranted this study. Aim: This study aimed to described and explored how physiotherapists working in inpatient rehabilitation unit in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital prepare older adults (60 years and older) with mobility limitations for transfer to their home in the community. Methods: A Sally Thorne’s interpretive descriptive qualitative study design was adopted to purposively sample 14 PTs with 5-year’s experience of participating in discharging older adults with mobility limitations from inpatient rehabilitation-to-home. Data collection included audio recorded semi-structured, one-on-one interviews either via telephone or in-person with PTs, lasting between 25-30 minutes. The researcher transcribed the data verbatim, and was managed in NVIVO (QSR, version 12.0) for coding and analyses. Thematic analysis, following six steps described by Braun and Clarke, guided the data analysis. Result: Fourteen physiotherapists (12 males and 2 females) were interviewed. Three major themes were analyzed which are: active physiotherapy role antecedents, barriers to active physiotherapy role in the hospital to home transition and Inherent patient-related factors. The result of the data analysis revealed how the interviewed physiotherapists assist older adults in overcoming mobility barriers, the experiential insights gained through their practice, and the pivotal obstacles and enablers influencing patient participation in the rehabilitation process during hospital discharge. Conclusion: Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach that promotes patientcentered care, fosters collaboration among healthcare professionals, and addresses systemic issues. By overcoming barriers and leveraging support systems, physiotherapists can enhance the quality of care and promote successful transitions for older adults with mobility limitations, ultimately improving their quality of life and independence in the community. Key words: Physiotherapists, hospital-to- home transition, older adults, mobility limitation.
