Thillainadesan J, Box H, Kearney L, Naganathan V, Cunich M, Aitken SJ, Monaro SR. The experience of hospital care for older surgical patients and their carers: A mixed-methods study.
Australas J Ageing 2023;
42:535-544. [PMID:
36847376 PMCID:
PMC10946774 DOI:
10.1111/ajag.13176]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
A growing proportion of older adults are undergoing surgery, but there is a paucity of patient and carer experience research in this group. This study investigated the experience of hospital care in an older vascular surgery population for patients and their carers.
METHODS
This was a mixed-methods convergent design, including simultaneous collection of quantitative and qualitative research strands by combining open-ended questions with rating scales in a questionnaire. Recently hospitalised vascular surgery patients aged ≥65 years at a major teaching hospital were recruited. Carers were also approached to participate.
RESULTS
Forty-seven patients (mean age 77 years, 77% male, 20% with a Clinical Frailty Scale score >4) and nine carers participated. The majority of patients reported that their views were listened to (n = 42, 89%), they were kept informed (n = 39, 83%), and were asked about their pain (n = 37, 79%). Among carers, seven reported their views were listened to and that they were kept informed. Thematic analysis of patients' and carers' responses to open-ended questions about their experience of hospital care revealed four themes in terms of what mattered to them: fundamental care including hygiene and nutrition, comfort of the hospital environment such as sleep and meals, being informed and involved in health-care decision-making, and treating pain and deconditioning to help recovery.
CONCLUSIONS
Older adults admitted to hospital for vascular surgery and their carers, valued highly the care that met both their fundamental needs and facilitated shared decisions for care and recovery. These priorities can be addressed through Age-Friendly Health System initiatives.
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