Examining satisfaction of older adult patients and their caregivers following traumatic injury: a cross-sectional study of three level I trauma centres

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore satisfaction of care received by older adult patients and their primary caregivers following traumatic injury.DesignProspective, cross-sectional study using the FAMCARE (Family Satisfaction with Advanced Cancer Care Scale) satisfaction surveys prior to discharge.SettingThree level I trauma centres in Colorado from November 2016 to December 2017.ParticipantsTrauma patients ≥55 years old and their primary caregivers.Outcome measuresOverall mean (SD) satisfaction, satisfaction <80% vs ≥80%, and mean satisfaction by survey conceptual structures.ResultsOf the 319 patients and 336 caregivers included, the overall mean (SD) patient satisfaction was 81.7% (15.0%) and for caregivers was 83.6% (13.4%). The area with the highest mean for patient and caregiver satisfaction was psychosocial care (85.4% and 86.9%, respectively). Information giving was the lowest for patients (80.4%) and caregivers (80.9%). When individual items were examined, patients were significantly more satisfied with ‘availability of nurses to answer questions’ (84.5 (15.3) vs 87.4 (14.8), p=0.02) and significantly less satisfied with ‘speed with which symptoms were treated’ (80.6 (17.9) vs 84.0 (17.0), p=0.03) compared with caregivers. Patients with a history of smoking (least squares mean difference: −0.096 (−0.18 to –0.07), p<0.001) and hospital discharge destination to an outside facility of care (adjusted OR: 1.6 (1.0 to 2.4), p=0.048) were identified as independent predictors of lower overall satisfaction in generalised linear and logistic models, respectively.ConclusionsOur data suggest that patients’ medical history was driving both patient and caregiver satisfaction. Patient characteristics and expectations need to be considered when tailoring healthcare interventions.

Is Preexisting Mental Illness Associated with Lower Patient Satisfaction for Older Trauma Patients? A Cross-sectional Descriptive Study

“…Second, patients at hospital 2 also tended to be managed on the oor, whereas at hospital 1 with a younger population, patients had a slighter higher injury severity and typically went to critical care. At hospitals 1 and 2, communication of information on prognosis was signi cantly lower, which was identi ed as an area of lower patient satisfaction in another study on trauma patients [10], and in other studies [25][26][27]. Although these patients could in fact have been provided relevant information during their stay, perhaps the delivery of information could be slowed down or better re ned for older PMI + patients, which may be rushed in the acute trauma setting.…”

“…Life satisfaction in older populations has been linked to activities that both temporarily alleviate and contribute to stress and pain, including smoking and alcohol consumption [15]. Thus, a history of smoking has been associated with lower life satisfaction [15], as well as lower patient satisfaction [10].…”

“…This prospective cross-sectional study included trauma patients aged ≥ 55 years, admitted between November 1, 2016-December 31, 2017, across two level I trauma centers. Further details on the inclusion and exclusion criterion, and the processes and details for administering the surveys, (including their theoretical framework and initial ndings), are outlined in a previous study [10]. Brie y, eligible patients (trauma admissions ≥ 55 years old) were approached by the study coordinators at each hospital to be enrolled.…”

“…Third, because this was a cross-sectional study of two trauma centers, other hospitals with different populations and behavioral health management strategies may not observe the same satisfaction scores; nonetheless, the inclusion of a general, older adult trauma population may help other centers hoping to understand satisfaction and characteristics of trauma patients who are PMI+. Fourth, because data was used from a larger ongoing study, the surveys used were not previously evaluated in a trauma population, or for those who are PMI + and additional work may be needed to verify the results using an instrument tailored for this population; however, Vogel and colleagues (2019) successfully measured patient and caregiver satisfaction using the FAMCARE surveys in a trauma population [10,28]. Fifth, because the measurement of mental illness in this population was taken from patients who consented to take a survey, it is likely an underestimation of the true prevalence across these hospitals.…”

Is Preexisting Mental Illness Associated with Lower Patient Satisfaction for Older Trauma Patients? A Cross-sectional Descriptive Study

“…Life satisfaction in older populations has been linked to activities that both temporarily alleviate and contribute to stress and pain, including smoking and alcohol consumption [23]. Thus, a history of smoking has been associated with lower life satisfaction [23], as well as lower patient satisfaction [14].…”