[Clinical research in the home as a tool for improving practice].

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Neurology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Quality of life in hospital at home settings is under-researched.
• The "Feel'HAD" study addresses this gap by assessing patient well-being in home-based care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the quality of life experienced by patients receiving hospital-at-home care.
• To identify patient groups with specific quality of life needs.
• To assess the feasibility of large-scale research in home care settings.

Main Methods:

• The "Feel'HAD" study involved 488 patients.
• A validated EQ-5D-3L questionnaire was administered during nursing visits.
• Data analysis focused on quality of life across different pathologies.

Main Results:

• Neurological and geriatric pathologies were associated with the most significant quality of life degradation.
• Substantial disparities in quality of life were observed within different patient condition types.
• Patients expressed needs extending beyond technical care, including psychological and social support.

Conclusions:

• Hospital-at-home care requires a holistic approach, addressing psychological and social needs alongside medical treatment.
• The study demonstrated the feasibility of conducting large-scale research within home-based healthcare environments.
• Findings can inform practice improvements for enhanced patient well-being in hospital-at-home settings.