Healthcare professionals’ experience of working with individuals in a prolonged disorder of consciousness in acute and post-acute settings: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

This study explored the experiences of healthcare professionals working with prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDoC) patients in acute and post-acute care settings. Semi-structured interviews with thirteen healthcare professionals (including doctors, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and clinical psychologists) were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. These identified five main themes: (1) Team Working, (2) Journeying with the Family, (3) Emotional Impact of the Work, (4) Professional Competency and Collective Learning, and (5) “Are we getting this right?” Results indicated shared experiences among professionals, highlighting both the challenges and facilitators in providing care to PDoC patients. These findings offer valuable insights into the lived experience of healthcare professionals in Scotland working with PDoC patients in acute and post-acute settings. This study showed the challenging and rewarding nature of working with PDoC patients, and enhanced understanding of the challenges and facilitators to this work. Recommendations for enhancing support mechanisms and practical implications for clinical practice are discussed.