Patients' Perspectives on Relatives in the Perioperative Setting: A Danish Study

Abstract

Surgical patients may have doubts about bringing relatives into the perioperative setting because they are unfamiliar with the environment and rules. This study aims to investigate patients' experiences with relatives' participation in this context. We conducted 15 semistructured interviews with surgical patients and analyzed data according to Kvale and Brinkmann's meaning condensation. We found that patients believe they do not have tailored information to prepare themselves and their relatives for surgery. They believe that their individual information is not transferred between health care workers, making them feel unsafe and confused; that control reduces anxiety; and that cooperation among everyone involved in their care creates coherence. We concluded that a collaborative trialogue involving the patient, relatives, and health care workers may benefit all involved. In cooperation, patients can make individual choices about their care, relatives can understand their role and opportunities, and health care workers can tailor the care they provide.

Nursing care during COVID-19 at non-COVID-19 hospital units: A qualitative study

“…12,13 When denied the ability to be present at the hospital, relatives were also denied the opportunity to act as a resource for the hospitalised patient by providing emotional support, 14,15 advocating for the patient 14,16 and helping to understand information and make decisions. 17…”

“…12,13 When denied the ability to be present at the hospital, relatives were also denied the opportunity to act as a resource for the hospitalised patient by providing emotional support, 14,15 advocating for the patient 14,16 and helping to understand information and make decisions. 17 Another important aspect to address is that COVID-19 units in Denmark were staffed with RNs from non-COVID-19 units. The relocation of RNs did leave many non-COVID-19 units with fewer and often less experienced RNs to care for non-COVID-19 patients.…”

Patients experiences of their relationships with relatives and their collaboration with nurses during contact in non-COVID-19 hospital wards – A qualitative study

“…However, being left alone and positioned between relatives and HCPs caused a breakdown in the collaborative triad between the parties, which is essential for family-centered care. 9 The ultimate consequence could be a fragmented nursing care, which compromises feelings of safety and prolongs recovery for the patients.…”

“… 2 – 4 Research shows that collaboration with relatives during in- or outpatient hospital contact is essential for the patients 5 as the relatives provide emotional support 6 , 7 and advocate for the patient through supportive mediation. 6 , 8 In addition, they help patients to understand information and make decisions 9 as well as sometimes serve as an extended arm of the healthcare professionals (HCPs). 2 , 5 , 7 …”

“… 14 , 15 Thus, high-quality nursing care relies on a triad consisting of patients, relatives, and HCPs, and involves a collaborative trialogue between these parties. 9 , 16 …”