Perceptions of care quality during an acute hospital stay for persons with dementia and family/carers
Publication Details
Chenoweth, L.,
Cook, J.,
&
Williams, A.
(2021).
Perceptions of care quality during an acute hospital stay for persons with dementia and family/carers.
Healthcare, 9 (9).
Abstract
Objectives: to report on acute hospital care experiences for persons with dementia and family/carers in a pilot study (PiP) of person-centred care compared with usual care.
Methods: participants were recruited from one acute aged care ward and one mixed medical/surgical ward. One-on-one interviews occurred soon after discharge using a semi-structured interview guide framed by person-centred principles whereby the person is: V—valued; I—treated as an individual; P— perceived as having a unique identity; and S—supported socially and psychologically. Data were analysed deductively with reference to these a priori principles.
Results: 11 consented persons with dementia and 36 family/carers participated. A total of eight core VIPS concepts were derived from the data. While many occasions of person-centred care occurred, there was variability in staff expertise, interest and aptitude for dementia care work. Neglect of person-centred principles more frequently occurred for the usual care group, where staff failed to place the person and their family/carer at the centre of service.
Conclusions: person-centred services for persons with dementia requires that hospital executive equip staff with the relevant knowledge, skills and support to adhere to person-centred care guidelines. Hospitals must address workplace cultures and procedures that favour organisational systems over person-centred services.
Keywords
dementia, acute hospital, quality, person-centred care, qualitative research
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