Older people's care experience in community and general hospitals: a comparative study.
Community hospitals are an important component of the post-acute care pathway for older people. The objective of this study was to describe and contrast patients' and carers' experiences of community and general hospitals. Interviews with patients and carers revealed similarities in the perceptions of care between the two settings. These included appreciation of staff sensitivity, a sense of security, encouragement of independence and lack of activity. The community hospital was appreciated for its location, atmosphere, accommodation, greater sense of freedom, quality of food and staff attitudes. UK health policy promotes the development of community hospitals. This should be progressed in a way that retains key strengths of the specific service they offer.
Green
John
J
Academic Unit of Elderly Care and Rehabilitation, University of Leeds.
Forster
Anne
A
Young
John
J
Small
Neil
N
Spink
Joanna
J
D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000523:psychology*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001887:Boredom; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D004645:Empathy; D004739:England; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005521:Food Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D005610:Freedom; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000458:organization & administration; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000458:organization & administration; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires