Ellen I Hagedoorn1,2,3,4, Wolter Paans3,4, Cees P van der Schans1,2,5, Tiny Jaarsma6, Marie Louise A Luttik3, Joost C Keers1,7. 1. Research Group Healthy Ageing, Allied Health Care and Nursing, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands. 2. Department of Health Psychology, University Medical Center, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. 3. Research Group Nursing Diagnostics, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands. 4. Department of Critical Care, University Medical Center, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. 5. Department of Rehabilitation, University Medical Center, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. 6. Department of Social and Welfare Studies (ISV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. 7. Martini Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract
AIM: To describe the extent of perceived collaboration between family caregivers of older persons and hospital nurses. BACKGROUND: Collaboration between hospital nurses and family caregivers is of increasing importance in older patient's care. Research lacks a specific focus on family caregiver's collaboration with nurses. METHOD: Using a cross-sectional design, 302 caregivers of older patients (≥70 years) completed the 20-item Family Collaboration Scale with the subscales: trust in nursing care, accessible nurse and influence on decisions. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations. RESULTS: Family caregivers rated their level of trust in nurses and nurses' accessibility higher than the level of their influence on decisions. Family caregivers who had more contact with nurses perceived higher levels of influence on decisions (p ≤ .001) and overall collaboration (p ≤ .001). CONCLUSION: Family caregivers' collaboration with nurses can be improved, especially in recognizing and exploiting family caregivers as partner in the care for older hospitalized persons and regarding their level of influence on decisions. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Insight into family caregivers' collaboration with nurses will help nurse managers to jointly develop policy with nurses on how to organise more family caregivers' involvement in the standard care for older persons.
AIM: To describe the extent of perceived collaboration between family caregivers of older persons and hospital nurses. BACKGROUND: Collaboration between hospital nurses and family caregivers is of increasing importance in older patient's care. Research lacks a specific focus on family caregiver's collaboration with nurses. METHOD: Using a cross-sectional design, 302 caregivers of older patients (≥70 years) completed the 20-item Family Collaboration Scale with the subscales: trust in nursing care, accessible nurse and influence on decisions. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations. RESULTS: Family caregivers rated their level of trust in nurses and nurses' accessibility higher than the level of their influence on decisions. Family caregivers who had more contact with nurses perceived higher levels of influence on decisions (p ≤ .001) and overall collaboration (p ≤ .001). CONCLUSION: Family caregivers' collaboration with nurses can be improved, especially in recognizing and exploiting family caregivers as partner in the care for older hospitalized persons and regarding their level of influence on decisions. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Insight into family caregivers' collaboration with nurses will help nurse managers to jointly develop policy with nurses on how to organise more family caregivers' involvement in the standard care for older persons.