Eva Hoffmann1,2,3, Pernille Tanggaard Andersen4, Christian Backer Mogensen2,5, Christina Prinds1,6, Jette Primdahl2,5,7. 1. University College South Denmark, Aabenraa, Denmark. 2. Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. 3. OPEN, Open Patient data Explorative, Region of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. 4. Research Unit for Health Promotion, University of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark. 5. Hospital Sønderjylland, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Aabenraa, Denmark. 6. Research Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. 7. Danish Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Sønderborg, Denmark.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Acutely admitted older people are potentially vulnerable and dependent on relatives to negotiate and navigate on their behalf. AIM: This study aimed to explore relatives' experiences of their interactions with healthcare professionals during acute hospital admission of older people to derive themes of importance for relatives' negotiations with these professionals. METHOD: A qualitative design was applied. Relatives of acutely admitted older people at two emergency departments in Denmark were interviewed (n = 17). The qualitative content analysis was guided by Graneheim and Lundman's concepts. RESULTS: The analysis derived four themes: (a) Mandate, (b) Incentive, (c) Capability and (d) Attitude to taking action. These four sources of relatives' negotiation power can be illustrated in the MICA model. CONCLUSION: Four themes were identified as important sources of relatives' negotiation power. Since the four sources of power potentially change according to the situation, relatives' negotiation power seems to be context dependent.
BACKGROUND: Acutely admitted older people are potentially vulnerable and dependent on relatives to negotiate and navigate on their behalf. AIM: This study aimed to explore relatives' experiences of their interactions with healthcare professionals during acute hospital admission of older people to derive themes of importance for relatives' negotiations with these professionals. METHOD: A qualitative design was applied. Relatives of acutely admitted older people at two emergency departments in Denmark were interviewed (n = 17). The qualitative content analysis was guided by Graneheim and Lundman's concepts. RESULTS: The analysis derived four themes: (a) Mandate, (b) Incentive, (c) Capability and (d) Attitude to taking action. These four sources of relatives' negotiation power can be illustrated in the MICA model. CONCLUSION: Four themes were identified as important sources of relatives' negotiation power. Since the four sources of power potentially change according to the situation, relatives' negotiation power seems to be context dependent.