"I couldn't even do normal chores": a qualitative study of the impacts of injury for Māori.

For Māori living with disability 24 months after hospitalisation for injury, adjusting to life after the injury and the rehabilitation process was challenging. Participants discussed frustration with feeling dependent on others, being bored and feeling unfulfilled after their injury, and that many aspects of their lives were impacted on and not always in the expected directions. Many reported longer lasting impacts even after rehabilitation was completed. Implications for rehabilitation programmes e.g., strengthening programmes by taking into account issues discussed by participants, recognising the long-term impacts on both those injured and their whānau (family), and further investigations required are also discussed.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONDisability after injury can have long term impacts for injured Māori and their relationships.Social impacts can be perceived as more debilitating than the physical impacts after injury.Experiences of employment changes and future prospects are often difficult to navigate for Māori returning to work after an injury.