title: A cross-sectional study on person-centred communication in the care of older people: the COMHOME study protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This paper presents an international cross-sectional study on person-centred communication with older people receiving healthcare (COMHOME). Person-centred care relies on effective communication, but few studies have explored this with a specific focus on older people. The main aim of the COMHOME study is to generate knowledge on person-centred communication with older people (>65 years) in home healthcare services, radiographic and optometric practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study will explore the communication between care providers and older persons in home care services. Home healthcare visits will be audiorecorded (n=500) in Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden. Analyses will be performed with the Verona Coding Definitions for Emotional Sequences (VR-CoDES), the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS) and qualitative methods. The content of the communication, communicative challenging situations as well as empathy, power distance, decision-making, preservation of dignity and respect will be explored. In Norway, an additional 100 encounters, 50 in optometric practice (video recorded) and 50 in radiographic practice (audiorecorded), will be analysed. Furthermore, healthcare providers' self-reported communication skills, empathy, mindfulness and emotional intelligence in relation to observed person-centred communication skills will be assessed using well-established standardised instruments.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Depending on national legislation, approval of either the central ethical committees (eg, nation or university), the national data protection officials or the local ethical committees (eg, units of home healthcare) was obtained. Study findings will be disseminated widely through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. The research findings will add knowledge to improve services provided to this vulnerable group of patients. Additionally, the findings will underpin a training programme for healthcare students and care providers focusing on communication with older people.
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences, Buskerud and Vestfold University College, Drammen, Norway.
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Hafskjold
authors: School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden School of Health and Education, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden.
authors: Annelie J
authors: AJ
authors: Sundler
authors: School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Inger K
authors: IK
authors: Holmström
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences, Buskerud and Vestfold University College, Drammen, Norway.
authors: Vibeke
authors: V
authors: Sundling
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences, Buskerud and Vestfold University College, Drammen, Norway NIVEL (Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research), Utrecht, The Netherlands Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: van Dulmen
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences, Buskerud and Vestfold University College, Drammen, Norway.
authors: Hilde
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4428-5047
authors: H
authors: Eide
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D004645:Empathy; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D064866:Mindfulness; D009426:Netherlands; D009664:Norway; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013548:Sweden
keywords: AUDIT; MEDICAL EDUCATION & TRAINING; PRIMARY CARE