Authors
- Jackie Robinson1,
- Merryn Gott2,
- Clare Gardiner2,
- Christine Ingleton3
- Auckland City Hospital1,
- University of Auckland2,
- University of Sheffield3
2015
Excerpt
The acute hospital plays a significant role in caring for people with a life limiting illness. Most research to date has focused exclusively on the negative aspects of hospitalisation. Currently there is little known about the benefits of hospital admissions for patients with palliative care needs. The aim of this study was to explore the benefits of hospital admissions, from the perspectives of patients with palliative care needs.
A qualitative study design was adopted. Longitudinal semi-structured, face to face interviews were used to elicit the views of patients admitted to hospital in one large urban acute hospital in New Zealand. The study sample comprised of 14 patients admitted to Auckland City Hospital between July 2013 and March 2014 who met one of the Gold Standard Framework Prognostic Indicators for palliative care need. Through a process of thematic analysis four themes were identified from the data: being cared for and feeling safe, receiving care to manage at home, relief for family and 'getting/feeling better'.
The benefits of being in hospital were reported to extend beyond treatments received. Most participants reported their preference was to come to hospital even if they had been able to access the care they received in hospital at home. This research contributes to a greater understanding of the benefits associated with hospitalisations and challenges current assumptions regarding the role of the acute hospital in palliative care.
A qualitative study design was adopted. Longitudinal semi-structured, face to face interviews were used to elicit the views of patients admitted to hospital in one large urban acute hospital in New Zealand. The study sample comprised of 14 patients admitted to Auckland City Hospital between July 2013 and March 2014 who met one of the Gold Standard Framework Prognostic Indicators for palliative care need. Through a process of thematic analysis four themes were identified from the data: being cared for and feeling safe, receiving care to manage at home, relief for family and 'getting/feeling better'.
The benefits of being in hospital were reported to extend beyond treatments received. Most participants reported their preference was to come to hospital even if they had been able to access the care they received in hospital at home. This research contributes to a greater understanding of the benefits associated with hospitalisations and challenges current assumptions regarding the role of the acute hospital in palliative care.