Patient Participation in Nursing Homes: A Meta-Synthesis Review

Abstract

The aim of this study is to gain insight, from a caring science perspective, regarding what patient participation means to older residents in nursing homes. Patient participation must be safeguarded by nurses, but this cannot be done without considering the patient's point of view. The research question is as follows: What does patient participation mean to elderly nursing home residents from a caring science perspective? Using a meta-synthesis approach, seven primary studies are chosen for a hermeneutical analysis. The following subcategories stand out: “I want to be seen and heard,” “I depend upon others,” and “I want to decide myself.” With these findings, a caring science ontology became apparent: Dignity, interdependence, and autonomy are necessary in order to facilitate patient participation.

Older adults’ experiences of participation in daily activities in Swedish assisted living

“…The older adults' possibilities to participate vary depending on the healthcare staffs' ability to invite them to participate, and this affects their feeling of self-determination and security [15]. The participation of older adults can be supported and encouraged by the professional healthcare staff creating good care relationships [16]. Previous studies show that being shown respect as well as the healthcare staffs' ability to invite participation provides a basis for security [15].…”