Rock climbers' management of hand injuries and perceptions on seeking healthcare: A mixed methods analysis

This study examined rock climbers' behaviors and perspectives on utilizing healthcare for climbing-related hand injuries. Twenty-eight climbers were interviewed and completed questionnaires on their management of the 88 climbing-related hand injuries in their lifetimes. The most prevalent reasons for not seeking professional healthcare for hand injuries were: trust in own and/or peers' treatment knowledge (57%), belief that utilizing healthcare is unnecessary because injuries will self-resolve (35%), and belief that healthcare providers do not have appropriate knowledge to treat climbing-related hand injuries (21%). Ten injuries (11%) were evaluated by primary care physicians, hand specialists, and/or physical therapists. Reasons climbers did seek professional healthcare included an injury required a clearly urgent intervention (57%), repeated or worsening injuries (53%), and knowing a trusted provider (21%). This information can be used to better establish healthcare relationships with climbers to prevent and treat these common injuries and avoid long-term disability from improper management.