A pilot study on the acceptability and safety of collaborative triage and treatment with traditional bonesetters for extremity fracture patients: a stepped-wedge, cluster-randomised controlled trial in rural Tanzania.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Fracture patients in resource-limited settings frequently attend traditional bonesetters (TBSs), often resulting in non/malunion or infectious complications. Intersectoral collaboration between formal healthcare and TBSs has the potential to make this practice safer but has never been tested previously. This pilot study assesses the acceptability and safety of collaborative fracture management (CFM).

Methods

Within a pilot stepped-wedge cluster-randomised controlled trial, we included three TBSs (clusters) and their extremity fracture patients from Rorya district, Tanzania. We randomly assigned TBS timepoints to transition from standard TBS care (control) to CFM (intervention). CFM consisted of X-ray imaging, analgesia and guideline-based discussion between a do

SUBMITTER: Binnerts JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12645663 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature