title: Visual cues for person-centered communication.
abstract: Nursing home communication is frequently limited and task-focused and fails to affirm resident personhood. We tested the feasibility and effects of automated digital displays of resident photographs to remind staff (N = 11) of resident (n = 6) personhood. Historical photographs were displayed in digital photo frames mounted in each resident's room. To evaluate the intervention's effects, staff-resident conversations were audio-recorded prior to displaying the frames and repeated 2 weeks and 3 months later. Conversations were transcribed and statements were topic coded (task-focused vs. interpersonal). Staff person-centered talk increased from 11% to 32% (z = 2.37, p = .02) after the intervention and task-talk decreased from 64% to 40%. Resident interpersonal topics increased from 20% to 37%. Staff statements increased from 29 at baseline, to 37 postintervention, and 41 at 3-month follow-up and resident engagement and reminiscence also increased. Effects were reduced after 3 months. Automated photo displays are an easily implemented, low-cost intervention to promote person-centered communication.
authors.affiliation: University of Kansas School of Nursing, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. kwilliams1@kumc.edu
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Brynn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lueger
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wassmer
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003142:Communication; D003463:Cues; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D028723:Personhood; D010781:Photography; D055815:Young Adult