A Behr1, R Meyer, M Holzhausen, A Kuhlmey, L Schenk. 1. Institut für Medizinische Soziologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Luisenstr. 13, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland, anja.behr@charite.de.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A fundamental aim of social science and for practitioners is the improvement of the quality of life of inpatients residing in long-term care homes. This research aims to determine aspects of their privacy in the context of quality of life from the residents' perspective, which has long been neglected. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A total of 42 narrative interviews with nursing home residents were conducted and analyzed using the documentary method. RESULTS: Four dimensions of privacy were identified. Intimate areas concern personal hygiene and toilet matters, non-intimate areas included mainly eating and the residents' private living area. Violations of privacy are associated with unpleasant feelings such as shame and disgust and are often subject to taboos. Respondents tended to be more open to talk about taboo subjects the less the topic referred to their own body. CONCLUSION: Privacy is perceived as a significant aspect of the respondents' quality of life. To be able to address inhibition thresholds and shameful topics, a good relationship between patient and personnel is required. This postulates that the caregivers are also aware of their own inhibition threshold and negative feelings.
BACKGROUND: A fundamental aim of social science and for practitioners is the improvement of the quality of life of inpatients residing in long-term care homes. This research aims to determine aspects of their privacy in the context of quality of life from the residents' perspective, which has long been neglected. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A total of 42 narrative interviews with nursing home residents were conducted and analyzed using the documentary method. RESULTS: Four dimensions of privacy were identified. Intimate areas concern personal hygiene and toilet matters, non-intimate areas included mainly eating and the residents' private living area. Violations of privacy are associated with unpleasant feelings such as shame and disgust and are often subject to taboos. Respondents tended to be more open to talk about taboo subjects the less the topic referred to their own body. CONCLUSION: Privacy is perceived as a significant aspect of the respondents' quality of life. To be able to address inhibition thresholds and shameful topics, a good relationship between patient and personnel is required. This postulates that the caregivers are also aware of their own inhibition threshold and negative feelings.
Authors: Anna Cristina Aberg; Birgitta Sidenvall; Mike Hepworth; Karen O'Reilly; Hans Lithell Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2005-05 Impact factor: 4.147