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Research article
Ingvild Lilleheie
Oslo Metropolian University
Corresponding Author
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Background In the European Union (EU), informal caregivers provide 60% of all care. Informal caregiving ranges from assistance with daily activities and provision of direct care to helping care recipients to navigate within complex healthcare and social services systems. While recent caregiver surveys document the impact of informal caregivers, systematic reviews show that they have unmet needs. Because of the political desire to reduce the length of hospital stays, older patients are discharged from the hospital ‘quicker and sicker’ than before. The transition between different levels of the healthcare system and the period after hospital discharge is critical for elderly patients. Caregivers’ perspectives on the quality of older patients’ care journeys between levels of the healthcare system may provide valuable information for healthcare providers and policymakers. This study aims to explore older patient’s informal caregivers’ views on healthcare quality in the hospital and in the first 30 days after hospitalisation. Method We conducted semi-structured individual interviews with 12 participants to explore and describe informal caregivers’ subjective experiences of providing care to older relatives. The interviews were then transcribed and analysed thematically. Results The analysis yielded the overarching theme ‘Informal caregivers – a health service alliance – quality contributor’, which was divided into four main themes: ‘Fast in, fast out’, ‘Scant information’, ‘Disclaimer of responsibility’ and ‘A struggle to secure professional care’. The healthcare system seemed to pay little attention to ensuring mutual understandings between those involved in discharge, treatment and coordination. The participants experienced that the healthcare providers’ main focus was on the patients’ diseases, although the health services are supposed to view patients holistically. Conclusion Based on the information given by informal caregivers, health services must take into account each person’s needs and preferences. To deliver quality healthcare, better coordination between inter-professional care teams and the persons they serve is necessary. Health professionals must strengthen the involvement of caregivers in transitions between care and healthcare. Future work should evaluate targeted strategies for formal caregivers to cooperate, support and empower family members as informal caregivers.
Keywords
Healthcare, informal care, caregivers, elderly, quality of care, patient-centered
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View the published article at BMC Geriatrics.
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On 03 Feb, 2020
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On 02 Feb, 2020
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Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 31 Jan, 2020
Editor assigned
On 30 Jan, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 29 Jan, 2020
Editor invited
On 29 Jan, 2020
Version 2
Posted 09 Jan, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 27 Jan, 2020
Editor assigned
On 06 Jan, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 05 Jan, 2020
Editor invited
On 05 Jan, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 23 Dec, 2019
Review #2 received
Received 21 Dec, 2019
Review #1 received
Received 16 Dec, 2019
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 07 Dec, 2019
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 27 Nov, 2019
Editor assigned
On 14 Nov, 2019
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 14 Nov, 2019
Submission checks complete
On 07 Nov, 2019
Editor invited
On 07 Nov, 2019
First submitted
On 01 Nov, 2019
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A new preprint design is coming!
We have improved readability, clarity, accessibility, and opportunities for engagement.
See the published version of this preprint at BMC Geriatrics.
This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Ingvild Lilleheie
Oslo Metropolian University
Corresponding Author
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at BMC Geriatrics.
No community comments so far
Editor assigned
On 03 Feb, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 02 Feb, 2020
Editor invited
On 02 Feb, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 31 Jan, 2020
Editor assigned
On 30 Jan, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 29 Jan, 2020
Editor invited
On 29 Jan, 2020
Version 2
Posted 09 Jan, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 27 Jan, 2020
Editor assigned
On 06 Jan, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 05 Jan, 2020
Editor invited
On 05 Jan, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 23 Dec, 2019
Review #2 received
Received 21 Dec, 2019
Review #1 received
Received 16 Dec, 2019
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 07 Dec, 2019
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 27 Nov, 2019
Editor assigned
On 14 Nov, 2019
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 14 Nov, 2019
Submission checks complete
On 07 Nov, 2019
Editor invited
On 07 Nov, 2019
First submitted
On 01 Nov, 2019
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published article at BMC Geriatrics.
Background In the European Union (EU), informal caregivers provide 60% of all care. Informal caregiving ranges from assistance with daily activities and provision of direct care to helping care recipients to navigate within complex healthcare and social services systems. While recent caregiver surveys document the impact of informal caregivers, systematic reviews show that they have unmet needs. Because of the political desire to reduce the length of hospital stays, older patients are discharged from the hospital ‘quicker and sicker’ than before. The transition between different levels of the healthcare system and the period after hospital discharge is critical for elderly patients. Caregivers’ perspectives on the quality of older patients’ care journeys between levels of the healthcare system may provide valuable information for healthcare providers and policymakers. This study aims to explore older patient’s informal caregivers’ views on healthcare quality in the hospital and in the first 30 days after hospitalisation. Method We conducted semi-structured individual interviews with 12 participants to explore and describe informal caregivers’ subjective experiences of providing care to older relatives. The interviews were then transcribed and analysed thematically. Results The analysis yielded the overarching theme ‘Informal caregivers – a health service alliance – quality contributor’, which was divided into four main themes: ‘Fast in, fast out’, ‘Scant information’, ‘Disclaimer of responsibility’ and ‘A struggle to secure professional care’. The healthcare system seemed to pay little attention to ensuring mutual understandings between those involved in discharge, treatment and coordination. The participants experienced that the healthcare providers’ main focus was on the patients’ diseases, although the health services are supposed to view patients holistically. Conclusion Based on the information given by informal caregivers, health services must take into account each person’s needs and preferences. To deliver quality healthcare, better coordination between inter-professional care teams and the persons they serve is necessary. Health professionals must strengthen the involvement of caregivers in transitions between care and healthcare. Future work should evaluate targeted strategies for formal caregivers to cooperate, support and empower family members as informal caregivers.
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
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