[Patients' viewpoint about the most importants aspects of the Humane Caring Scale]

Humane Caring Scale has been developed at the Kuopio University Hospital. The purpose of this study was to investigate which items of Humane Caring Scale were important and relevant to the patients at the hospital and which issues were missing. The data (n = 501) were collected in April 1996 by a questionnaire. The response rate was 77%. The data were analysed using statistical methods and content analysis. Majority of the items were important to the patients. Professional care and understandable communication were the most important issues. Aspects such as professional working, holistic care, physical environment, enough staff and patient-doctor relationship were also important. Women considered more aspects more important than men. Missing parts of the scale were no question for preparing patients to home care, supporting of rehabilitation and outcomes of the patients. Humane Caring Scale should be tightened up and the concepts used in the instrument clarified. The caring at the Kuopio University Hospital was estimated as good on the average by the patients. Young patients were more critical than elderly ones.