title: Older orthopaedic patients' perceptions of individualised care: a comparative survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe and compare the individualised care perceptions of older orthopaedic patients' and patients of working age.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Age has been found to influence perceptions of care and although individualised care is highlighted in the literature, it is seldom studied from an older person's perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive and comparative.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected using the Individualised Care Scale from orthopaedic patients (n = 420, response rate 84%). The participants were divided into two groups: those 65 and over (n = 149) and those under 65 and working (n = 271). Data analysis used descriptive and inferential statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients expressed a desire for individualised care, and gave relatively good evaluations about the perceived support for their individuality and the realisation of individualised care. Differences in the perceptions of individualised care were found between, but not within, the two groups. The older patients were more positive in their evaluations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need for programmes of individualised care that are age-adjusted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As the older population rises worldwide individualised care becomes more important in the care of older people. These findings provide baseline data for the development of individualised nursing care from the patients' perspective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. suhonen.riitta@kolumbus.fi
authors.forename: Riitta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Suhonen
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Leino-Kilpi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000523:psychology*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D016530:Orthopedic Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010548:Personal Health Services; D011594:Psychometrics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires