Conectar
To explore Registered Nurses' experiences of continuity of care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary care.
An inductive, descriptive qualitative study.
Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 11 purposively sampled Registered Nurses of varying levels of experience from eight regions in Sweden. The audiotaped interviews were conducted over a 5-month period (December 2023–April 2024), transcribed verbatim and analysed using interpretive description.
Registered Nurses' experiences of continuity of care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are described by three themes (seven subthemes): Patient continuity (Building personal relationships: Being accessible and enabling trust and confirmation), Collaborator continuity (Having a colleague to lean on: Colleagues can lean on me: Feeling alone with my expertise) and Continuity with myself (Trusting my own competence: Carrying a burden alone).
Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research Guidelines.
This study provides an understanding of Registered Nurses' experiences of continuity of care in primary care. The results may help improve future care since nurses play an essential role in the care of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease within primary care.
To enhance continuity of care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the relationship between the nurse and the patient is important, as is collaboration with colleagues. This collaborative approach allows these nurses to maintain continuity with both the patients and themselves, fostering a more stable and effective care environment.
This study offers valuable insights into the experiences of Registered Nurses in maintaining continuity of care within primary care, particularly for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. By highlighting the critical role of Registered Nurses in managing these patients, the study underscores the importance of strong nurse–patient relationships and effective collaboration among healthcare professionals.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
Commentary on: Farfán-Zúñiga, X abd Jaman-Mewes, P. Reflections of nursing students on the care of the person’s dignity at the end of life: a qualitative study. Nurse Education Today 2024; 133: 106067.
Implications for practice and research Dignity is one of the main values at the end of life. Reflection of dignity and the meaning of such should be an obligatory part of nursing education, particularly when caring for people at the final stage of life, where vulnerability is more palpable. Research on nursing students’ reflections regarding meeting the dignity needs of dying people is essential to improve the quality of end-of-life care.
Dignity is a cornerstone in healthcare and nursing research, not least it is an important concept when caring for people and their relatives at the end of life. Yet, there is a lack of research about nursing education, reflective...
To explore aspects of interpersonal relationships in palliative care nursing, focusing on confidential conversations between patients and registered nurses (RN).
A qualitative study employing focused ethnography.
Data were collected through unstructured participant observations, field notes and interviews with patients and RN in specialist palliative care. Data were analysed using reflective thematic analysis.
Confidential conversations in palliative care are founded on trust that is fragile and develops dynamically through consistent interactions. Small talk, presence and silence are essential for initiating and maintaining trust and the interpersonal relationship. The environment, patient condition and RN emotional presence and competence shape these conversations. As the relationship evolves, conversations adapt to the patient's changing needs. Missed signals or interruptions can disrupt flow, but the potential for repair remains, allowing for restoration and strengthening of trust and connection.
Confidential conversations in palliative care are grounded in fragile, dynamic trust, necessitating ongoing presence, sensitivity and adaptability from RN. To support these interactions, healthcare environments must prioritise privacy, relational continuity and communication training. Future research should investigate how organisational structures and clinical settings influence confidential conversations.
Healthcare environments should facilitate confidential conversations by ensuring relational continuity and minimising distractions. Communication training that emphasises presence and management of silence can strengthen nurse–patient relationships, enhancing patient care and emotional support.
This study explores key aspects of confidential conversations in palliative care, emphasising trust and emotional sensitivity. It addresses a research gap in palliative care using rare observational methods to deepen understanding of nursing relational aspects. The findings offer practical guidance for enhancing communication and relational skills, informing training and policy development and ultimately, improving emotional support and care.
Findings are reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines.
This study did not involve patient or public participation in its design, conduct or reporting.
To evaluate the quality of care from the patients' perspective after receiving either person-centred, nurse-led follow-up or standard care after surgical treatment of intermittent claudication.
Secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial.
Patients at two centres for vascular surgery in Stockholm, Sweden were randomised to either a person-centred, nurse-led follow-up programme (intervention group) or a standard follow-up programme with surgeons. During their visits at 4 to 8 weeks and 1 year after surgery, they received the questionnaire Quality from patients' perspective with 28 items. The patients responded to each item from two aspects: (1) how they perceived the quality of received care and (2) subjective importance (how important the care was for them).
A total of 104 of 138 patients at 4–8 weeks and 159 of 193 patients at 1 year after surgery completed the questionnaire. At 4–8 weeks, the intervention group scored significantly higher perceived quality of care regarding five items: receiving useful information about “How I should take care of myself” and “Which nurse were responsible for my care”, “Nurses were respectful towards me”, “Nurses showed commitment/cared about me” and “Easy to get in contact with the clinic through telephone”. At 1 year, the intervention group scored higher regarding two items: “Which nurses were responsible for my care” and “Next of kin treated well”.
Person-centred, nurse-led follow-up as implemented in this study has been shown to lead to a higher perception of quality of care regarding information about self-care, the experience of being respected, and knowing the care provider responsible for their care. Thus, it could contribute towards improved patient satisfaction without compromising the perception of quality of care regarding other factors such as receiving the best medical care or timeliness.
This study addresses how patients with intermittent claudication, who underwent revascularisation, perceive a follow-up care that is person-centred and nurse-led compared to standard care delivered by surgeons. The results indicate that patients find the person-centred and nurse-led follow-up programme satisfactory, with equal or higher quality of care and that follow-up can be delivered by nurses with retained patient safety. Thus, vascular units may consider transitioning follow-up care from surgeons to nurses while maintaining positive patient's perception of quality of care, patient satisfaction and safety.
Reporting of the work was made using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement.
No patient or public contribution.
Study Details | Person-centred Follow-up and Health Promotion Programme After Revascularization for Intermittent Claudication | ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03283358
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