Table 2 Participant demographic and health characteristics

Female

13 (68)

Age (years)

54 (SD 14.2)

Ethnicity

 New Zealand Māori

5 (26)

 Pacific (Tongan)

1 (5)

 Filipino

1 (5)

 Bangladeshi

1 (5)

 New Zealand European

11 (58)

Work status

 Paid

13 (68)

 Unpaid

2 (11)

 Retired

4 (21)

Income

 Low or insecure

10 (53)

 Not low or insecure

6 (32)

 Unsure

3 (16)

Rural domicile

9 (47)

Mean duration of symptoms (years)

5 (SD 6.0)

Care characteristics

 Carpal tunnel surgery in past 12 months

6 (32)

 No treatment beyond referral with or without medication prescription

7 (37)

 Other care^b

6 (32)

Care funder

 Public

9 (53)

 Private (self-funded) and Public

2 (11)

 Private (self-funded and/or health insurance)

2 (11)

 ACC (including accredited employer)

4 (21)

 ACC initially, later declined and transferred to Public

2 (11)

BCTQ

 Symptom Severity Scale (11–55)

  Asymptomatic (11)

3 (16)

  Mild (12–22)

2 (11)

  Moderate (23–33)

5 (26)

  Severe (34–44)

7 (37)

  Very severe (45–55)

2 (11)

 Functional Severity Scale (8–40)

  Asymptomatic (8)

4 (21)

  Mild (9–16)

3 (16)

  Moderate (17–24)

8 (42)

  Severe (25–32)

2 (11)

  Very severe (33–40)

2 (11)