title: Autonomy, choice, patient-centered care, and hip protectors: the experience of residents and staff in long-term care.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine long-term care (LTC) resident and staff perceptions on the decision to use hip protectors and identify the factors that influence attitudes toward hip protector use. Staff (N = 39) and residents (N = 27) at two residential care facilities in British Columbia, Canada were invited to participate in focus groups on fall prevention and hip protector use. A total of 11 focus groups were conducted. Using framework analysis results show that residents and staff shared concerns on aesthetic and comfort issues with hip protectors. Residents also generally felt they did not need, or want to use, hip protectors. However, they also had desire to be cooperative within the LTC environment. Staff underscored their role in advocating for hip protector use and their desire to protect residents from harm. Practice considerations for facilities wishing to promote hip protectors within a patient centered framework are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada joanie.sims-gould@hiphealth.ca.
authors.forename: Joanie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sims-Gould
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Heather A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: McKay
authors.affiliation: Fraser Health Authority, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health, Victoria, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Stephen N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Robinovitch
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001955:British Columbia; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010349:Patient Compliance; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: autonomy; decision making; hip protectors; long-term care; patient-centered care