Experiences of family carers of older people with mental health problems in the acute general hospital: a qualitative study
Aims To explore the experiences of family carers of people with cognitive impairment during admission to hospital. Background Providing appropriate care in acute hospitals for people with co-morbid cognitive impairment, especially dementia or delirium or both, is challenging to healthcare profe...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Published: |
John Wiley & Sons
2013
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/2460/ |
| _version_ | 1848790790925451264 |
|---|---|
| author | Clissett, Philip Porock, Davina Harwood, Rowan H. Gladman, John R.F. |
| author_facet | Clissett, Philip Porock, Davina Harwood, Rowan H. Gladman, John R.F. |
| author_sort | Clissett, Philip |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Aims
To explore the experiences of family carers of people with cognitive impairment during admission to hospital.
Background
Providing appropriate care in acute hospitals for people with co-morbid cognitive impairment, especially dementia or delirium or both, is challenging to healthcare professionals. One key element is close working with family members.
Design
Qualitative interview study.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews with family carers of 34 older people who had been admitted to a UK general hospital and had co-morbid cognitive impairment. Interviews conducted in 2009 and 2010. Analysis was undertaken using Strauss and Corbin's framework.
Findings
The findings elaborate a core problem, ‘disruption from normal routine’ and a core process, ‘gaining or giving a sense of control to cope with disruption’. Family carers responded to disruption proactively by trying to make sense of the situation and attempting to gain control for themselves or the patient. They tried to stay informed, communicate with staff about the patient and plan for the future. The interaction of the core problem and the core process resulted in outcomes where family members either valued the support of hospital staff and services or were highly critical of the care provided.
Conclusion
Family carers are not passive in the face of the disruption of hospitalization and respond both by trying to involve themselves in the care and support of their relative and by trying to work in partnership with members of staff. Nurses need to foster this relationship conscientiously. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T18:18:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-2460 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T18:18:13Z |
| publishDate | 2013 |
| publisher | John Wiley & Sons |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-24602020-05-04T20:18:22Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/2460/ Experiences of family carers of older people with mental health problems in the acute general hospital: a qualitative study Clissett, Philip Porock, Davina Harwood, Rowan H. Gladman, John R.F. Aims To explore the experiences of family carers of people with cognitive impairment during admission to hospital. Background Providing appropriate care in acute hospitals for people with co-morbid cognitive impairment, especially dementia or delirium or both, is challenging to healthcare professionals. One key element is close working with family members. Design Qualitative interview study. Methods Semi-structured interviews with family carers of 34 older people who had been admitted to a UK general hospital and had co-morbid cognitive impairment. Interviews conducted in 2009 and 2010. Analysis was undertaken using Strauss and Corbin's framework. Findings The findings elaborate a core problem, ‘disruption from normal routine’ and a core process, ‘gaining or giving a sense of control to cope with disruption’. Family carers responded to disruption proactively by trying to make sense of the situation and attempting to gain control for themselves or the patient. They tried to stay informed, communicate with staff about the patient and plan for the future. The interaction of the core problem and the core process resulted in outcomes where family members either valued the support of hospital staff and services or were highly critical of the care provided. Conclusion Family carers are not passive in the face of the disruption of hospitalization and respond both by trying to involve themselves in the care and support of their relative and by trying to work in partnership with members of staff. Nurses need to foster this relationship conscientiously. John Wiley & Sons 2013-12 Article PeerReviewed Clissett, Philip, Porock, Davina, Harwood, Rowan H. and Gladman, John R.F. (2013) Experiences of family carers of older people with mental health problems in the acute general hospital: a qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 69 (12). pp. 2707-2716. ISSN 0309-2402 acute care; dementia; family care; gerontology; nursing; qualitative approaches http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jan.12159/abstract doi:10.1111/jan.12159 doi:10.1111/jan.12159 |
| spellingShingle | acute care; dementia; family care; gerontology; nursing; qualitative approaches Clissett, Philip Porock, Davina Harwood, Rowan H. Gladman, John R.F. Experiences of family carers of older people with mental health problems in the acute general hospital: a qualitative study |
| title | Experiences of family carers of older people with mental health problems in the acute general hospital: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Experiences of family carers of older people with mental health problems in the acute general hospital: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Experiences of family carers of older people with mental health problems in the acute general hospital: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experiences of family carers of older people with mental health problems in the acute general hospital: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Experiences of family carers of older people with mental health problems in the acute general hospital: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | experiences of family carers of older people with mental health problems in the acute general hospital: a qualitative study |
| topic | acute care; dementia; family care; gerontology; nursing; qualitative approaches |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/2460/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/2460/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/2460/ |