Waiting for healthcare: a concept analysis.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Patient Experience
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Waiting for healthcare is a prevalent and significant issue in service provision.
• Understanding the client's perspective on waiting is vital for evaluating its impact.
• This issue is a focus for healthcare managers and policymakers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the concept of waiting for healthcare from the patient's viewpoint.
• To examine the implications of waiting for nursing practice.
• To identify critical attributes of the waiting experience.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed and CINAHL databases (1950-2007).
• Keywords used: 'health care' and 'waiting'.
• Reference lists of identified papers were also reviewed.

Main Results:

• Waiting is defined as a measurable time gap between problem identification and treatment.
• Key attributes include subjective time perception, uncertainty, powerlessness, and anticipation.
• Patients experience psychological distress during the waiting period.

Conclusions:

• Strategies like pre-assessment clinics and clear communication can improve waiting management.
• Nurses can lead in implementing person-centred care to enhance patient satisfaction.
• Proactive communication and support are often overlooked but essential.