"They forget that I'm a human being"-ward round communication with older patients living with frailty and informal caregivers: a qualitative study.

Autor: Andersen LH; Department of Internal Medicine, Randers Regional Hospital, Skovlyvej 15, 8930, Randers, NE, Denmark. lehane@rm.dk.; Department of Geriatric Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. lehane@rm.dk.; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. lehane@rm.dk., Løfgren B; Department of Internal Medicine, Randers Regional Hospital, Skovlyvej 15, 8930, Randers, NE, Denmark.; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark., Skipper M; Postgraduate Medical Education, Region North, Viborg, Denmark., Krogh K; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.; Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark., Jensen RD; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.; MidtSIM, Corporate HR, Central Denmark Region, Aarhus, Denmark.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: European geriatric medicine [Eur Geriatr Med] 2024 Oct; Vol. 15 (5), pp. 1383-1392. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Sep 04.
DOI: 10.1007/s41999-024-01043-5
Abstrakt: Purpose: Skilful communication prompts quality patient care. Informal caregivers occupy a crucial role when caring for hospitalised older patients living with frailty. However, skilful communication with both patients and informal caregivers during ward rounds has not been studied. Thus, we aimed to explore communication preferences of patients and informal caregivers during ward rounds.
Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with hospitalized patients and informal caregivers until information redundancy occurred. We used inductive coding of the transcribed interviews followed by a reflexive thematic analysis.
Results: The study included 15 patients and 15 informal caregivers. Patients had a median age of 85 years (range 75-100 years) and seven patients were females. Informal caregivers' median age were 45 years (range 38-80 years) and 13 were females. Three themes were generated: (1) building relationships and conveying information, (2) alleviating informal caregiver strain and (3) sharing the decision-making process. Themes highlighted the importance of collaborative and empathetic approaches in healthcare interactions, emphasizing interpersonal communication skills, such as fostering professional relationships. The interviews unveiled informal caregiver burden stemming from disempowerment during hospital discharge process and managing mistrust within the healthcare system. The shared decision-making process should address patients' and informal caregivers' needs and circumstances.
Conclusions: Communication preferences of a population of older patients living with frailty and informal caregivers during ward rounds encompass interpersonal communication, demonstrating ample time, and being seen as a human being. Informal caregivers value being included in the decision-making process. Skilful communication includes for doctors to recognize informal caregivers' narratives and burdens.
Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors report there are no competing interests to declare. Ethical approval: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (2023–002). Informed consent: All the interviewees gave their oral and written informed consent to participate in this study.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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