Patient-centeredness in long-term care of older patients - a structured interview

The aim of this study was to describe assessments of older people about patient-centeredness in the long-term care of Estonian hospitals, and to determine correlations between patients' assessments and their socio-demographic characters.

Patient-centeredness increases patients' satisfaction and enhances their recovery. Still, patients' opinions are not always taken into account.

A cross-sectional study included 111 older people in long-term care of 14 Estonian hospitals. Data were collected in 2008 by means of structured interviews.

What patients agreed most was that they were given enough opportunity to carry out activities they were capable of performing themselves. Two thirds of participants had not been sufficiently consulted on who would be providing their care. Half of the participants were not given sufficient opportunity to decide what kind of care was needed and how they would receive it. The more assistance patients needed in daily living activities, the less they considered the care as patient-centred.

From the perspective of older people, the patient-centeredness in Estonian long-term care is above average. Providing patient-centred long-term care in Estonian hospitals deserves more attention.

Older people should be more involved in decision-making, especially those who need more assistance in daily living activities.