Jaana Koskenniemi

Respect in the care of older patients in acute hospitals

The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of older patients and their next of kin with regards to respect in the care given in an acute hospital. The data were collected using tape-recorded interviews (10 patients and 10 next of kin) and analysed via inductive content analysis. Based on the analysis, the concept of respect can be defined by the actions taken by nurses (polite behaviour, the patience to listen, reassurance, response to information needs, assistance in basic needs, provision of pain relief, response to wishes and time management) and next of kin (support, assistance and advocacy) and by factors related to the environment (appreciation of older people in society, management of health-care organizations, the nursing culture, the flow of information and patient placement). The information will be used to develop an instrument for assessing how well respect is maintained in the care of older patients.

Right for knowledge – the perspective of significant others of persons with memory disorders

RATIONALE People have a fundamental right to know about care and services within health care. This right is also important for persons with memory disorders (PwMD) and their significant others (SO) for empowering them to manage with difficult situations at home and in institution. AIM This study explores the self-assessed level of received knowledge about care and services of the SOs of PwMDs and the understandability of that knowledge. METHODS This study employed an exploratory and correlational survey design in multisite settings for older people. Data were collected in Finland in 2010-2011 from the SOs of PwMDs (N = 304, n = 264, response rate 87%) using questionnaires, including the Knowledge of Care and Services for Persons with Memory Disorders; the level of knowledge and the understandability of the knowledge were assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS 0-100). Data were analysed statistically using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance and Pearsons correlations coefficients. RESULTS The self-assessed level of received knowledge of SOs about care and services was low (mean 47.7 ± 25.3 out of 100), with the highest level seen in medication (54.5 ± 31.1) and memory disorder as a disease (54.3 ± 30.3) and the lowest level in the services provided at home for PwMDs (45 ± 30.6) and generally for SOs (38.5 ± 31.7). SOs assessed the received knowledge as being understandable to a moderate degree (53.7 ± 25.5). CONCLUSION More knowledge could be delivered to PwMDs to manage in their homes and especially to SOs to take care of PwMDs. New educational solutions could be created aimed at improving the understandability of the knowledge.