title: Patients' perceptions of the meaning of good care in surgical care: a grounded theory study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients in surgical care have reported a fear of being discharged prior to sufficient recovery and a lack of control of their situation. Establishing the patient-nurse relationship is essential in the context of the care. The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare has established indicators for good care for comparison, evaluation and improvement of the quality of the health care system. These indicators are knowledge-based, appropriate, safe, effective and equal health care, as well as care within a reasonable time and patient-centred care. Current core competence in nursing education include quality improvement, patient-centred care, teamwork and collaboration, using evidence-based practice, safety and informatics. This study investigates patients' perceptions of the meaning of good care in inpatient surgical care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Grounded theory according to Charmaz was chosen as the study design. Interviews were conducted with 13 patients from six surgical wards in the south of Sweden in 2014-2015.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that patients in surgical care perceived good care as being safe, as they were vulnerable and anxious. This could be achieved through accessible care, reliable care, caring attitudes and participating in one's own care. Patient participation was achieved by information and education and the possibility to affect their care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients need safety to experience good care. Caring attitudes and patient participation can be attained through patient-centred care. Bedside handover can improve patients' perceptions of accessible care and reliable care and can increase patient participation. Continuously maintaining competence and using evidence-based practice are needed to achieve reliable care.
authors: Department of Surgery, Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden ; Medical Faculty at Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors: Tünde
authors: T
authors: Mako
authors: Department of Surgery, Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden ; Medical Faculty at Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors: Pernilla
authors: P
authors: Svanäng
authors: Division of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden ; Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: Kristofer
authors: 0000-0002-8500-2245
authors: K
authors: Bjerså
keywords: Evidence-based practice; Good care; Nurse; Patient participation; Patient-centred care; Quality improvement; Surgical care