[Experiences, wishes and needs of patients with regard to patient participation during geriatric rehabilitation]

Person-centered care is the result of shared goal setting and monitoring progress during rehabilitation in geriatric rehabilitation care (GR). It requires active patient involvement. Collaboration between health care professionals and patients is valuable in formulating goals and contributes to person-centered care. With this study we investigate how active participation is implemented in practice, what wishes GR patients have and what tools are needed for this. For this purpose, cross-sectional semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 GR patients for 1 year. The research shows that patients want to be actively approached and supported by professionals for active patient participation. The extent to which and the way in which this is done are different, requiring a flexible approach that considers the needs and possibilities of the patient and his environment. Recommendations for practice have been formulated based on this study.