ABSTRACT
Health-care systems around the world are striving to be patient-centered, and there is growing evidence that engaging patients and families in their care, as well as in efforts to redesign services, contributes to improved outcomes and experiences for patients and providers. This patient-oriented care movement includes efforts to improve the quality of information and communication between health-care professionals and patients as well as families and caregivers. Whiteboards have emerged as a best practice in hospitals to promote engagement and improve information and communication, yet with limited empirical evidence regarding their value to patients, families, or interprofessional teams. We introduced whiteboards on an acute medical unit at a community hospital and conducted an evaluation using a pre-post design collecting both qualitative and quantitative data. Baseline and post-implementation data were collected via qualitative interviews with patients/family and providers and using the Canadian Patient Experience Survey; focus groups were held with staff and members of the care team. Qualitative results highlighted improvements in communication between the care team and patients as well as family members. Implications for practice include attention to patient/family empowerment and safety, adherence to guidance for good communication, and support for regular training and education in the use of communication tools for members of the interprofessional team.
Subject(s)
Family , Interprofessional Relations , Humans , Canada , Patients , Caregivers , Patient Care Team , CommunicationSubject(s)
Caregiver Burden/psychology , Caregivers/psychology , Health Services Needs and Demand/statistics & numerical data , Needs Assessment , Transitional Care , Activities of Daily Living/psychology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anxiety/psychology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Discharge , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , QuebecABSTRACT
Objectif: Évaluation (faisabilité, acceptabilité, pertinence et bienfaits potentiels) d'une intervention de transition pour proches aidants. Méthode: L'intervention visait à fournir du soutien émotionnel, de l'information sur les ressources communautaires et du soutien au développement des capacités d'adaptation pour les proches aidants de patients de 65 ans et plus qui avaient reçu leur congé suite à une hospitalisation de courte durée. L'approche méthodologique a impliqué un seul groupe, qui a été évalué lors d'un pré-test et d'un post-test effectué trois mois après le début de l'intervention. Résultats: Quatre-vingt-onze dyades patients-proches ont été recrutées. Soixante-trois (69 %) proches aidants ont reçu les cinq séances d'intervention (tel que prévu) et 60 (66 %) proches aidants ont complété le test final. Une diminution significative de l'anxiété et de la dépression des proches aidants et un taux de satisfaction élevé ont été notés après l'intervention. Discussion: Cette intervention de transition pour les patients plus âgés et leurs proches aidants devrait faire l'objet d'une évaluation plus poussée, de préférence avec un groupe de contrôle, en tant qu'intervention autonome ou comme une composante d'une intervention de transition complète.Objective: To conduct a formative evaluation of a transitional intervention for family caregivers, with assessment of feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, and potential benefits. Methods: The intervention aimed to provide emotional support, information on community resources, and information and support for development of coping skills for the caregivers of patients aged 65 and older who were to be discharged home from an acute medical hospital admission. We used a one-group, pre- and three-month post-test study design. Results: Ninety-one patient-caregiver dyads were recruited. Of these, 63 caregivers (69%) received all five planned intervention sessions, while 60 (66%) completed the post-test. There were significant reductions in caregiver anxiety and depression following the intervention, and high rates of satisfaction. Discussion: This transitional intervention should be further evaluated, preferably with a control group, either as a stand-alone intervention or as one component of a comprehensive transitional intervention for older patients and their caregivers.
