Trial of Social Work Services in Fracture Clinic Setting

Launched by SHEILA SPRAGUE · May 6, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether having a social worker available in the fracture clinic can help patients recover better after a serious bone fracture that requires surgery. Many patients not only deal with physical injuries but also face emotional and financial challenges during their recovery, such as anxiety, depression, and difficulties with work or housing. By providing support from a social worker, the trial aims to see if this can improve patients' mental health, reduce emergency room visits, and help them feel more satisfied with their care.

To participate, individuals must be 18 years or older, have had a recent fracture that needed surgery, and be willing to follow the study's requirements. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive support from a social worker or standard care. The social worker will assess their needs and offer help for up to a year. Throughout the study, participants will complete questionnaires to track their recovery progress. This research could change how we support patients after serious fractures, potentially leading to more comprehensive care that addresses both physical and emotional needs.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• The inclusion criteria are:
• • 1. Aged 18 or older.
• • 2. Has fracture of the appendicular skeleton
• • 3. Fracture required surgical management.
• • 4. Fracture occurred within the past 12 weeks.
• • 3. Willing to comply with the protocol. 4. Willing to provide informed consent.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Incarceration.
• • 2. Expected injury survival of less than 6 months.
• • 3. Terminal illness with expected survival of less than 6 months.
• • 4. Currently enrolled in a trial that does not permit co-enrollment.
• • 5. Unable to engage in protocol in the languages available in the local cluster.
• • 6. Prior enrollment in the trial.
• • 7. Declined to provide informed consent.
• • 8. Not approached at (or prior to) the first post-surgery fracture clinic visit (missed participant).
• • 9. Other reason to exclude the patient, as approved by the Methods Centre.