Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026

14:32
Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
23.6K
Exploring Older People's Experiences and Factors Associated With 30-Day Hospital Readmission: A Qualitative Study
Fanis Stavrou1,2, Jo Adams1, Harnish P Patel3,4
1Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
International Journal of Older People Nursing
|November 2, 2024
Summary
Older adults feel unheard during hospital readmissions, experiencing fragmented care. Improving patient involvement and integrated health services is crucial for recovery and preventing readmissions.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Healthcare Management
- Patient Experience Research
Background:
- Hospital readmissions negatively impact older adults and healthcare systems.
- Existing research on readmissions primarily uses cross-sectional data, with limited focus on patient experiences.
- Understanding patient priorities is essential for improving care quality and reducing readmissions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the experiences of older adults undergoing hospital readmission.
- To identify key factors influencing older patients' readmission journeys.
- To inform strategies for enhancing patient-centred care and support.
Main Methods:
- Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with ten participants aged over 65.
- Participants had experienced unplanned hospital readmission within 30 days.
- Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyze the interview data.
Main Results:
- Four major themes emerged: 'All about me without me', 'Fragmented and ad hoc post-discharge support', 'My readmission experience and what led me back', and 'Segregated health and social services that are detached from people's needs'.
- Participants reported feeling excluded from decisions about their care.
- Inconsistent and inadequate post-discharge support was a significant issue.
Conclusions:
- Increased patient involvement in care decisions is recommended.
- Health professionals should better understand patients' contexts and support systems.
- Enhanced communication and a stronger continuum of care are vital for recovery and readmission prevention.
- Shared decision-making and patient-centred care are crucial for improving quality of care, maintaining independence, and valuing older adults.
Related Concept Videos
Restorative Care
Restorative care is provided once a patient has been discharged from a healthcare facility and requires additional services. The additional services include home care, rehabilitation programs, and extended care. Restorative care centers help the patient regain their previous level of functioning or acquire a new level of functioning due to the incapacitating effects of a disease or a disability. It aims to assist patients in enhancing their quality of life by encouraging independence,...
Patient-centered Care
Patient-centered care involves delivering care beyond inpatient hospitalization. Reflective practice can enhance a patient-centered approach. Reflective practice is a process of reasoning that considers all aspects of the present situation, including practicalities, learning from personal practice, and consideration of patient needs. Patients appreciate care decisions made while considering their input. Involving the patient in their care provides the patient with a sense of contribution rather...
Planning Nursing Care I
The planning phase of the nursing process helps nurses set priorities, outline patient-centered goals and expected outcomes, and tailor nursing interventions to align with the aligned care plan. Through the planning phase, the nurse applies critical thinking skills to align and develop interventions according to the patient's needs. It provides continuity of care allowing patients to receive the maximum benefit from treatment. It serves as a pilot plan for allocating individual staff to a...
Purpose of Health Records I
The vital purpose of health records is to provide a complete and accurate account of a patient's medical history, including communication, diagnostic and therapeutic orders, care planning, research, and quality review.
Here's a breakdown of how health records serve these purposes:
Here's a breakdown of how health records serve these purposes:
Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Documentation in long-term care facilities and home healthcare settings is crucial for ensuring continuous, coordinated, and comprehensive care for patients. Each setting has its specific documentation processes and tools:
Long-Term Care Facilities
Long-Term Care Facilities
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...

