Abstract
A short statement of the objectives
There is a limited understanding of models that helpfully combine dementia care with palliative care in inpatient hospital settings. This represents a significant void because: there is limited clarity on how patient-centric care might be operationalised; and how limited resources might be used ineffectively and/or inefficiently. As such, this study examined what matters to people with dementia who need such care and their family carers.
Method
The methodologies of positive organisational scholarship in healthcare and video reflexive ethnography were combined by: inviting inpatients in a geriatric and evaluation management unit, carers, clinicians and non-clinical staff to participate; capturing digital recordings of participant accounts of, and experiences with hospital-based care (approximately 60 hours over 12 months); documenting ethnographic fieldwork notes; and inviting participants to view and interpret digital recordings.
Results
According to inpatients and carers, a model of high-quality care requires a structure and processes that serve to elasticise care. The model needs to be conducive to care that is flexible, as demonstrated by: a responsiveness to the changing needs and preferences of patients and carers; subjective (rather than objectified) understandings of time; and integrated social and clinical prowess.
Conclusion
This study clarifies what matters to people with dementia who need palliative care and their family carers. It exemplifies how high-quality care is performed, experienced, and perceived. The findings represent some of the key demonstrations of a model of high-quality care for these individuals.
There is a limited understanding of models that helpfully combine dementia care with palliative care in inpatient hospital settings. This represents a significant void because: there is limited clarity on how patient-centric care might be operationalised; and how limited resources might be used ineffectively and/or inefficiently. As such, this study examined what matters to people with dementia who need such care and their family carers.
Method
The methodologies of positive organisational scholarship in healthcare and video reflexive ethnography were combined by: inviting inpatients in a geriatric and evaluation management unit, carers, clinicians and non-clinical staff to participate; capturing digital recordings of participant accounts of, and experiences with hospital-based care (approximately 60 hours over 12 months); documenting ethnographic fieldwork notes; and inviting participants to view and interpret digital recordings.
Results
According to inpatients and carers, a model of high-quality care requires a structure and processes that serve to elasticise care. The model needs to be conducive to care that is flexible, as demonstrated by: a responsiveness to the changing needs and preferences of patients and carers; subjective (rather than objectified) understandings of time; and integrated social and clinical prowess.
Conclusion
This study clarifies what matters to people with dementia who need palliative care and their family carers. It exemplifies how high-quality care is performed, experienced, and perceived. The findings represent some of the key demonstrations of a model of high-quality care for these individuals.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2018 |
| Event | Canadian Association on Gerontology, 47th Annual Scientific and Educational Meeting, 2018: Making It Matter: Mobilizing Aging Research, Practice & Policy - Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, Vancouver, Canada Duration: 18 Oct 2018 → 20 Oct 2018 http://cag2018.ca/ |
Conference
| Conference | Canadian Association on Gerontology, 47th Annual Scientific and Educational Meeting, 2018 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | CAG2018 |
| Country/Territory | Canada |
| City | Vancouver |
| Period | 18/10/18 → 20/10/18 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- dementia care
- palliative care
- patient-centric care
- care model