An integrative review of self‐efficacy and patient recovery post acute injury

AIM: To present an integrative literature review examining the relationship between self-efficacy and patient recovery post acute injury. BACKGROUND: Self-efficacy is a belief in one's ability to perform a set of actions; the greater a person's confidence, the more likely they will initiate and continue activity that will produce a positive outcome in terms of recovery. Increasingly, research indicates that application of self-efficacy theory into clinical practice is likely to promote recovery in the rehabilitation setting. This review examines self-efficacy in the post acute injury group. DESIGN: Integrative literature review. DATA SOURCES: A database search was conducted in PSYCHINFO, MEDLINE and CINAHL between 1990-2012. REVIEW METHODS: Whittemore and Knafl's theoretical framework was used to guide the review in conjunction with a critical appraisal template. Findings from studies were extracted, critically examined and grouped into key themes under factors (interventions) and outcomes relating to self-efficacy. RESULTS: Eighteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Level of education may be a significant factor related to self-efficacy. Educational, physical and psychological interventions to improve self-efficacy emerged, but few interventions led to significantly enhanced self-efficacy. Self-efficacy was found to influence outcomes, including pain and disability, adherence to discharge instructions, locomotion recovery and quality of life. CONCLUSION: Interventions addressing the connection between physical and psychological health with respect to mood, emotion, stress, fear and anxiety to improve the psychological response to acute injury may enhance self-efficacy and patient recovery.