Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2025
Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
[Factors associated with the hospital at home workload: A Delphi consensus study]
K Vrotsou1, M Orive-Calzada2, N González3
1Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Biodonostia, Grupo de Atención Primaria, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, España; Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC); Red de Investigación en Cronicidad, Atención Primaria y Promoción de la Salud (RICAPPS), España.
Insights
This study identified 14 key factors impacting the workload of hospital at home (HaH) professionals, focusing on patient residence, health, social situation, and care delivery. These findings aim to optimize HaH operations.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Nursing Research
- Health Services Research
Context:
- Hospital at Home (HaH) services are expanding, necessitating an understanding of professional workload.
- Effective management of HaH requires identifying and prioritizing workload factors.
- Previous research has not comprehensively addressed the multifaceted factors contributing to HaH professional workload.
Purpose:
- To identify and prioritize factors contributing to the workload of hospital at home (HaH) professionals.
- To develop a comprehensive list of workload determinants for HaH practitioners.
- To provide a foundation for optimizing HaH service delivery and professional well-being.
Summary:
- A qualitative study utilized a systematic literature review, expert group meetings, Delphi technique, and nominal group meetings to identify workload factors.
- Initially 85 factors were identified, refined through expert consensus to a final list of 14.
- Key factors relate to patient residence, health status, social situation, and the nature of home-based healthcare delivery.
Impact:
- The identified factors can inform organizational improvements and workflow optimization for HaH professionals.
- Findings support enhanced resource allocation and policy development for HaH services.
- This research contributes to improving the sustainability and efficiency of hospital at home models.
Objectives:
To identify and prioritize a list of factors that contribute to the workload of the hospital at home (HaH) professionals.
Material And Methods:
A qualitative methodology study performed between January and December 2019 in the 10 HAH units of the Basque Country. The data were obtained in 4phases: 1. Systematic literature search and review; 2. Expert group meeting; 3. Consensus method: Delphi technique (2 survey rounds) and nominal group meeting; 4. Meeting of the research team.
Results:
In the systematic literature search and review 85 factors were initially identified. These were reduced to 38 after the 8-person expert group meeting, in which 10 new factors were added. After the 2 Delphi rounds (106 and 57 professionals, respectively), 17 factors were maintained and 12 remained in doubt. The latter were evaluated at the nominal group meeting, consisting of 13 professionals who decided to eliminate 5 factors, include 3, and keep 3 as doubt. After the 8-person research team meeting, 14 potential factors were finally selected. They are related to the place of residence, the health state and social situation of the patients, as well as the health care provided at home.
Conclusions:
The identified factors could serve for improving the organization and optimize the daily word of the HaH professionals.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Long-Term Care Facilities
01:18Factors Affecting Illness
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness,...
01:15Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model
For example, a patient with a chronic...
01:30Current Trends in Nursing II
00:59Hospitals-II
Nurses that work in...
01:21Dimensions of Health and Illness