The pace of hospital life: A mixed methods study.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Long JC
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8372908 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:BackgroundParenting children with life-threatening illness (LTI) and their healthy siblings requires parents to consider their various needs.Objective and methodsWe conducted a concurrent, cross-sectional mixed-methods study to describe challenges parents face prioritizing tasks and goals for each child with qualitative data, compare parents' tasks and goals for children with LTI and healthy siblings with quantitative data, and describe parenting in terms of the process of prioritizing tasks and goals for all children in the family.ResultsParticipants included 31 parents of children with LTI who have healthy siblings and were admitted to a children's hospital. Qualitative interviews revealed how parents managed children's needs and their perceptions of the toll it takes. Quantitative data revealed that parents prioritized "making sure my child feels loved" highest for ill and healthy children. Other goals for healthy siblings focused on maintaining emotional connection and regularity within the family and for ill children focused on illness management. Mixed-methods analysis revealed that parents engaged in a process decision making and traded-off competing demands by considering needs which ultimately transformed the meaning of parenting.DiscussionFuture research can further examine trade-offs and associated effects, how to support parent problem-solving and decision-making around trade-offs, and how to best offer social services alongside illness-directed care.
| S-EPMC5797322 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ImportanceLong-term prognosis informs clinical and personal decisions for older adults with late-life disability. However, many clinicians worry that telling patients their prognosis may cause harm.ObjectiveTo explore the safety of and reactions to prognosis communication in late-life disability.DesignParticipants estimated their own life expectancy and were then presented their calculated life expectancy using a validated prognostic index. We used a semi-structured interview guide to ask for their reactions. Qualitative data were analyzed using constant comparative analysis. Potential psychological and behavioral outcomes in response to receiving one's calculated prognosis were recorded and re-assessed 2-4 weeks later.SettingCommunity-dwelling older adults age 70+ residing in the San Francisco Bay Area.ParticipantsThirty five older adults with a median age of 80 requiring assistance with ≥1 Activity of Daily Living.ResultsSelf-estimates of life expectancy were similar to calculated results for 16 participants. 15 estimated their life expectancy to be longer than their calculated life expectancy by >2 years, while 4 shorter by >2 years. An overarching theme of, "fitting life expectancy into one's narrative" emerged from qualitative analysis. Discussing life expectancy led participants to express how they could alter their life expectancy (subtheme "locus of control"), how they saw their present health (subtheme "perceived health"), and their hopes and fears for the remaining years of their lives (subtheme "outlook on remaining years"). Feelings of anxiety and sadness in reaction to receiving calculated prognosis were rare.Conclusions and relevanceAbout half of the disabled older adults' self-estimates of prognosis were similar to calculated estimates. Evidence of sadness or anxiety was rare. These data suggest that in most cases, clinicians may offer to discuss prognosis.
| S-EPMC5681411 | biostudies-literature
Project description:STUDY OBJECTIVE:Emergency department (ED) crowding and patient boarding are associated with increased mortality and decreased patient satisfaction. This study uses a positive deviance methodology to identify strategies among high-performing, low-performing, and high-performance improving hospitals to reduce ED crowding. METHODS:In this mixed-methods comparative case study, we purposively selected and recruited hospitals that were within the top and bottom 5% of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services case-mix-adjusted ED length of stay and boarding times for admitted patients for 2012. We also recruited hospitals that showed the highest performance improvement in metrics between 2012 and 2013. Interviews were conducted with 60 key leaders (physicians, nurses, quality improvement specialists, and administrators). RESULTS:We engaged 4 high-performing, 4 low-performing, and 4 high-performing improving hospitals, matched on hospital characteristics including geographic designation (urban versus rural), region, hospital occupancy, and ED volume. Across all hospitals, ED crowding was recognized as a hospitalwide issue. The strategies for addressing ED crowding varied widely. No specific interventions were associated with performance in length-of-stay metrics. The presence of 4 organizational domains was associated with hospital performance: executive leadership involvement, hospitalwide coordinated strategies, data-driven management, and performance accountability. CONCLUSION:There are organizational characteristics associated with ED decreased length of stay. Specific interventions targeted to reduce ED crowding were more likely to be successfully executed at hospitals with these characteristics. These organizational domains represent identifiable and actionable changes that other hospitals may incorporate to build awareness of ED crowding.
| S-EPMC5828915 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundScotland-a country of 5.5 million people-has a rugged geography with many outlying islands, creating access challenges for many citizens. The government has long sought to mitigate these through a range of measures including an ambitious technology-enabled care program. A strategy to develop a nationwide video consultation service began in 2017. Our mixed methods evaluation was commissioned in mid-2019 and extended to cover the pandemic response in 2020.ObjectiveTo draw lessons from a national evaluation of the introduction, spread, and scale-up of Scotland's video consultation services both before and during the pandemic.MethodsData sources comprised 223 interviews (with patients, staff, technology providers, and policymakers), 60 hours of ethnographic observation (including in-person visits to remote settings), patient and staff satisfaction surveys (n=20,349), professional and public engagement questionnaires (n=5400), uptake statistics, and local and national documents. Fieldwork during the pandemic was of necessity conducted remotely. Data were analyzed thematically and theorized using the Planning and Evaluating Remote Consultation Services (PERCS) framework which considers multiple influences interacting dynamically and unfolding over time.ResultsBy the time the pandemic hit, there had been considerable investment in material and technological infrastructure, staff training, and professional and public engagement. Scotland was thus uniquely well placed to expand its video consultation services at pace and scale. Within 4 months (March-June 2020), the number of video consultations increased from about 330 to 17,000 per week nationally. While not everything went smoothly, video was used for a much wider range of clinical problems, vastly extending the prepandemic focus on outpatient monitoring of chronic stable conditions. The technology was generally considered dependable and easy to use. In most cases (14,677/18,817, 78%), patients reported no technical problems during their postconsultation survey. Health care organizations' general innovativeness and digital maturity had a strong bearing on their ability to introduce, routinize, and expand video consultation services.ConclusionsThe national-level groundwork before the pandemic allowed many services to rapidly extend the use of video consultations during the pandemic, supported by a strong strategic vision, a well-resourced quality improvement model, dependable technology, and multiple opportunities for staff to try out the video option. Scotland provides an important national case study from which other countries may learn.
| S-EPMC8500351 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundCaring for someone with dementia is associated with negative and positive experiences. There is little evidence based on large datasets.ObjectiveTo present data around the experience of caring for someone with dementia, to identify support (emotional and practical) needs, and inform future service provision.MethodsA mixed-methods study embedded in the Promoting Activity, Independence and Stability in Early Dementia (PrAISED) Randomized Controlled Trial. We administered questionnaires on strain, quality of life (QoL), and perceived health to 301 caregivers and assessment of cognitive performance, depression, anxiety, and disability in activities of daily living to 301 participants with dementia. Data were analyzed through descriptive and modelling statistics. A subsample of 20 patient-caregiver dyads were qualitatively interviewed. Data around caregivers' experience of providing care were extrapolated and analyzed through inductive thematic analysis.ResultsThere were significant negative associations between caregiver strain and QoL (p < 0.01) and between caregiver age and QoL (p < 0.01), and significant positive associations between caregiver strain and disability (p < 0.01), cognitive impairment (p < 0.01), depression (p < 0.05), and anxiety of the person with dementia (p < 0.05). Older caregivers reported a lack of support, reinforced by their reluctance to seek help. All caregivers reported contradictory emotions associated with caring and accumulation of strain over time.ConclusionWhile there is recognition that it is essential to support caregivers, dedicated intervention programs, and support strategies to respond to the needs of older caregivers are still needed.
| S-EPMC8075381 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundImproving palliative and end-of-life care for people with dementia is a growing priority globally. This study aimed to integrate multiple perspectives on end-of-life care for people with dementia and carers, to identify clinically relevant areas for improvement.MethodsThe mixed-methods study involved surveys, interviews, and workshops with two participant groups: healthcare professionals and carers (individuals who provided care and support to a family member or friend). Healthcare professionals were invited to complete an online adapted version of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, End-of-Life Care Toolkit: Clinician Survey Questions. Carers completed a hard copy or online adapted version of the Views of Informal Carers-Evaluation of Services (Short form) (VOICES-SF) questionnaire. Interview schedules were semi-structured, and workshops followed a co-design format. Findings were integrated narratively using a weaving approach.ResultsFive areas in which we can improve care for people with dementia at the end of life, were identified: 1) Timely recognition of end of life; 2) Conversations about palliative care and end of life; 3) Information and support for people with dementia and carers; 4) Person-and-carer-centred care; 5) Accessing quality, coordinated care.ConclusionsThere are multiple areas where we can improve the quality of end-of-life care people with dementia receive. The findings demonstrate that the heterogeneous and challenging experiences of living with and caring for people with dementia necessitate a multidisciplinary, multifaceted approach to end-of-life care. The identified solutions, including care coordination, can guide local development of co-designed models of end-of-life care for people with dementia.
| S-EPMC10825990 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundNear-miss organizational learning is important for perspective and proactive risk management. Although nursing organizations are the largest component of the healthcare system and act as the final safety barrier, there is little research about the current status of near-miss organizational learning. Thus, we conducted this study to explore near-miss organizational learning in a Chinese nursing organization and offer suggestions for future improvement.MethodsThis was a mixed methods study with an explanatory sequence. It was conducted in a Chinese nursing organization of a tertiary hospital under the guidance of the 4I Framework of Organizational Learning. The quantitative study surveyed 600 nurses by simple random sampling. Then, we applied purposive sampling to recruit 16 nurses across managerial levels from low-, middle- and high-scored nursing units and conducted semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics, structured equation modelling and content analysis were applied in the data analysis. The Good Reporting of A Mixed Methods Study (GRAMMS) checklist was used to report this study.ResultsOnly 33% of participants correctly recognized near-misses, and 4% of participants always reported near-misses. The 4I Framework of Organizational Learning was verified in the surveyed nursing organization (χ2 = 0.775, p = 0.379, RMSEA < 0.01). The current organizational learning behaviour was not conducive to near-miss organizational learning due to poor group-level learning (βGG = 0.284) and poor learning absorption (βMisalignment= -0.339). In addition, the researchers developed 13 codes, 9 categories and 5 themes to depict near-miss organizational learning, which were characterized by nurses' unfamiliarity with near-misses, preferences and the dominance of first-order problem-solving behaviour, the suspension of near-miss learning at the group level and poor learning absorption.ConclusionThe performance of near-miss organizational learning is unsatisfactory across all levels in surveyed nursing organization, especially with regard to group-level learning and poor learning absorption. Our research findings offer a scientific and comprehensive description of near-miss organizational learning and shed light on how to measure and improve near-miss organizational learning in the future.
| S-EPMC9667619 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundInfertility affects over 50 million people globally, the burden is disproportionately borne by women, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). The impact of infertility on quality of life (QoL) has not been well documented or assessed qualitatively in LMIC like Sudan, where infertility is a pervasive problem. Therefore, the purpose of this mixed-methods study was to assess the fertility-related QoL of infertile individuals in Sudan using the fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) tool.MethodsWe used explanatory sequential design (surveys and interviews) in a fertility clinic in Sudan (January 2017-May 2018). We collected socio-demographic information, medical/reproductive history and used Arabic FertiQoL. We generated descriptive statistics of FertiQoL (core, domain) scores and independent variables; multiple linear regression models to assess the relationship between FertiQoL and dependent variables; and t-tests to compare mean core/domain scores. We conducted thematic analysis on qualitative data about the subjective experience of being infertile.ResultsThe study included 102 participants (72 women), 70 educated beyond secondary school, mean age 33.89 years (SD = 7.82) and mean duration of infertility was 4.03 years (SD 3.29). Mean FertiQoL core score 76.02 (SD = 16.26), domain scores: emotional 71.61 (SD = 22.04), relational 78.06 (SD = 16.62), mind/body 74.06 (SD 22.53) and social 78.88 (SD = 18.24). Men had better fertility-related QoL.Four themes emergedA sense of something missing because of childlessness; social pressure from peoples' questions; impact on the spousal relationship (which differed amongst participants) and coping (faith-based and non-faith-based) which was necessary when the lived experience led to internal distress.ConclusionsInfertility negatively impacted the QoL of participants in this study, and women were worse off. Cognitive appraisal, social support and pressure may be key factors influencing the QoL of infertile individuals, therefore they should be encouraged to seek social and professional support. FertiQoL is a useful tool to assess fertility QoL in LMIC like Sudan.
| S-EPMC8648023 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionHospital group models represent an organisational form that aims to bring together multiple provider organisations with a central headquarters and unified leadership responsible for locally managed operating units, standardised systems and a value-set shared across the group. These models seek to improve outcomes by reducing unwarranted variations in care provision and reducing costs through economies of scale. There is limited evidence on the impact and processes of implementing these models, so this study aims to evaluate one case study of a hospital group model.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a formative, mixed-methods evaluation using an embedded research approach to analyse the implementation of the model and its impact on outcomes and costs. We will carry out a multisited ethnography to analyse the programme theory for model design and implementation, the barriers and facilitators in the implementation; and wider contextual issues that influence implementation using semi-structured interviews (n=80), non-participant observations (n=80?hours), 'shadowing' (n=20?hours) and documentary analysis. We will also carry out an economic evaluation composed of a cost-consequence analysis and a return on investment analysis to evaluate the costs of creating and running the model and balance these against the potential cost-savings.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol was reviewed by the local R&D Office and University College London Ethics Committee and classified as a service evaluation, not requiring approval by a research ethics committee. We will follow guidelines for informed consent, confidentiality and information governance, and address issues of critical distance prevalent in embedded research. Findings will be shared at regular time points to inform the implementation of the model. The evaluation will also generate: an evaluation framework to evaluate future changes; recommendations for meaningful baseline data and measuring improvement; identification of implementation costs and potential cost-savings; and lessons for the National Health Service on implementing these models.
| S-EPMC6589026 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe decision to discharge a patient from a hospital is a complex process governed by many medical and non-medical factors, while the actual reasons for discharge frequently remain ill-defined.AimTo define relevant discharge criteria as perceived by doctors, nurses and patients for the development of a standard hospital discharge policy, we collected actual reasons and most pivotal medical and organisational criteria for discharge among all stakeholders.SettingA tertiary referral university teaching hospital.MethodsWe conducted a mixed methods analysis, using patient questionnaires, interviews and a focus group with caregivers, and observations during the daily rounds of doctors, nurses and patients during their hospital stay. Fourteen wards of the Surgery, Paediatrics and Neurology departments contributed.ResultsWe observed 426 patients during their hospital stay. Forty doctors and nurses were interviewed, and 7 senior nurses attended a focus group. The most commonly used discharge criteria were clinical factors, organisational discharge issues and patient-related factors. A total of 269 patients returned their questionnaires. About one third of the adult patients and nearly half of the children (or their parents) felt their personal situation and assistance needed at home was insufficiently taken into account before discharge. Patients were least satisfied with the information given about what they were allowed to do or should avoid after discharge and their involvement in the planning of their discharge. Thus, besides obvious medical reasons for discharge, several non-medical reasons were signalled by all stakeholders as important issues to be improved.ConclusionsA set of discharge criteria could be defined that is useful for a more uniform hospital discharge policy that may help reduce unnecessary length of stay and improve patient satisfaction.
| S-EPMC3953385 | biostudies-literature