RESUMEN
AIM: To describe the experiences of dignity encounters from the perspective of people with long-term illness and their close relatives within a primary healthcare setting. BACKGROUND: The importance of dignity as a concept in nursing care is well known, and in every healthcare encounter, the patient's dignity has to be protected. METHODS: A purposive sample of 10 people (5 couples) participated in this qualitative descripted study. One person in each of the couples had a long-term illness. Conjoint interviews were conducted and analyzed with an inductive qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in three themes: i) Being supported by an encouraging contact; ii) Being listen to and understood; and iii) Being met with respect. Couples described being encountered with dignity as having accessibility to care in terms of being welcomed with their needs and receiving help. Accessibility promoted beneficial contact with healthcare personnel, who empowered the couples with guidance and support. Couples described a dignity encounter when healthcare personnel confirmed them as valuable and important persons. A dignity encounter was promoted their sense of feeling satisfied with the care they received and promoted safe care. Treated with dignity had a positive impact on the couples' health and well-being and enhanced their sense of a good impression of the healthcare personnel within the primary health care. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare personnel must regard and consider people with long-term illnesses and their close relatives' experiences of dignity encounters to gain an understanding that enables them to support their needs and to know that the care is directed toward them.
Asunto(s)
Personal de Salud , Respeto , Humanos , Investigación Cualitativa , Atención Primaria de Salud/métodosRESUMEN
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to elucidate meanings of encounters for patients with long-term illness within the primary healthcare setting. BACKGROUND: Good encounters can be crucial for patients in terms of how they view their quality of care. Therefore, it is important to understand meanings of interactions between patients and healthcare personnel. DESIGN: A phenomenological hermeneutic method was used to analyse the interviews. METHODS: Narrative interviews with ten patients with long-term illness were performed, with a focus on their encounters with healthcare personnel within the primary healthcare setting. A phenomenological hermeneutical approach was used to interpret the interview texts. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that patients felt well when they were seen as an important person and felt welcomed by healthcare personnel. Information and follow-ups regarding the need for care were essential. Continuity with the healthcare personnel was one way to establish a relationship, which contributed to patients' feelings of being seen and understood. Good encounters were important for patients' feelings of health and well-being. Being met with mistrust, ignorance and nonchalance had negative effects on patients' perceived health and well-being and led to feelings of lower confidence regarding the care received. CONCLUSIONS: Patients described a great need to be confirmed and met with respect by healthcare personnel, which contributed to their sense of togetherness. Having a sense of togetherness strengthened patient well-being. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: By listening and responding to patients' needs and engaging in meetings with patients in a respectful manner, healthcare personnel can empower patients' feelings of health and well-being. Healthcare personnel need to be aware of the significance of these actions because they can make patients experience feelings of togetherness, even if patients meet with different care personnel at each visit.
Asunto(s)
Rol de la Enfermera , Relaciones Enfermero-Paciente , Satisfacción del Paciente , Sobrevivientes/psicología , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Atención Primaria de Salud , SueciaRESUMEN
Good encounters are fundamental for good and professional nursing care, and can be described as treating patients with respect and protecting their integrity and autonomy. This study describes district nurses' views on quality of healthcare encounters in primary healthcare. A purposive sample of 27 district nurses participated in five focus group interviews. The focus groups interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. The interview texts were analysed using a thematic content analysis. The analysis resulted in four themes, including being aware of the importance and difficulties during encounters, being the patient's advocate, being attentive to the unique person and being informed when a meeting turned out poorly. The results show that district nurses believed that encounters formed the basis of their work and it was vital for them to be aware of any difficulties. District nurses found that acting in a professional manner during encounters is the most significant factor, but this type of interaction was sometimes difficult because of stress and lack of time. The district nurses considered themselves to be the patients' advocate in the healthcare system; in addition, the acts of seeing, listening, believing and treating the patient seriously were important for providing good quality care. If a poor encounter occurred between the district nurse and the patient, the district nurses found that it was necessary to arrange a meeting to properly communicate what problems arose during the interaction. The district nurses highlighted that providing an apology and explanation could improve future encounters and establish a better nurse-patient relationship. In conclusion, this study shows the importance of confirming and respecting patients' dignity as the fundamental basis for a good quality encounter in primary healthcare.