Taking control after fall-induced hip fracture: a grounded theory

The purpose of this paper is to report the findings from a grounded theory study exploring people’s concerns after fall-induced hip fracture. Hip fracture remains one of the most significant causes of death and ill health amongst older people (SIGN, 2009). The concerns of those who experience this traumatic injury are not articulated in the literature. Grounded theory is a systematic method of qualitative analysis and aims to develop a theory around a core category which explains how participants resolve their main concern. The emerging theory guides the sampling strategy and allows the researcher to take a flexible approach (Glaser and Strauss, 1967). Interviews were conducted with 19 people aged over 50 who had experienced traumatic hip fracture and surgical intervention, and were able and willing to provide informed consent. Interviews took place following discharge home.