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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC 4.0Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine

Caregiver understanding in brachial plexus birth injury: A qualitative study

  • Ashley B. Tartarilla1
  • Emily S. Ho2,3
  • Andrea S. Bauer1
  • Kristen M. Davidge2,4
4 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
  2. 2Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
  3. 3Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
  4. 4Division of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Abstract

Objective: An estimated one to three per 1,000 neonates experience brachial plexus birth injuries (BPBIs), which can result in lifelong physical disabilities. Caregiver health literacy is an important consideration for providers due to a multitude of factors, including etiology/diagnosis complexity, treatment intensity, and prognosis ambiguity. This study aimed to qualitatively explore caregiver understanding of BPBI information delivery.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 caregivers of young children with BPBIs in this multi-center study conducted in Canada and the U.S. Interviews were thematically coded via directed content analysis, and self-reported demographics were collected.

Results: Six categories emerged from the data, including naming the condition, understanding how and when injury happened, awareness of etiology, multiple modes of information delivery, desire for prognostics, and confusion around treatments.

Conclusions: Caregivers generally understood the etiology and factors surrounding the onset of their child’s BPBI, but confusion remained around treatment and prognosis. This study highlights potential gaps and areas for improvement in BPBI information delivery, thereby providing important guidance for providers on improving the treatment experience for caregivers of children with BPBIs.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{tartarilla2026caregiver,
  title = {{Caregiver understanding in brachial plexus birth injury: A qualitative study}},
  author = {Ashley B. Tartarilla and Emily S. Ho and Andrea S. Bauer and Kristen M. Davidge},
  journal = {Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1177/18758894261501060},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/18758894261501060},
  note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Caregiver understanding in brachial plexus birth injury: A qualitative study
AU  - Ashley B. Tartarilla
AU  - Emily S. Ho
AU  - Andrea S. Bauer
AU  - Kristen M. Davidge
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/27
JO  - Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine
DO  - 10.1177/18758894261501060
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1177/18758894261501060
AB  - Objective: An estimated one to three per 1,000 neonates experience brachial plexus birth injuries (BPBIs), which can result in lifelong physical disabilities. Caregiver health literacy is an important consideration for providers due to a multitude of factors, including etiology/diagnosis complexity, treatment intensity, and prognosis ambiguity. This study aimed to qualitatively explore caregiver understanding of BPBI information delivery.  Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 caregivers of young children with BPBIs in this multi-center study conducted in Canada and the U.S. Interviews were thematically coded via directed content analysis, and self-reported demographics were collected.  Results: Six categories emerged from the data, including naming the condition, understanding how and when injury happened, awareness of etiology, multiple modes of information delivery, desire for prognostics, and confusion around treatments.  Conclusions: Caregivers generally understood the etiology and factors surrounding the onset of their child’s BPBI, but confusion remained around treatment and prognosis. This study highlights potential gaps and areas for improvement in BPBI information delivery, thereby providing important guidance for providers on improving the treatment experience for caregivers of children with BPBIs.
SN  - 1874-5393
SN  - 1875-8894
ER  -