Relationship centred outcomes focused on compassionate care for older people within in-patient care settings: Relationship centred compassionate care

Smith, Stephen; Dewar, Belinda; Pullin, Simon; Tocher, Ria

Abstract

This paper describes outcomes from research titled Leadership in Compassionate Care. The research adopts a participatory action research approach, utilizing appreciative inquiry and relationship centred care. Outcomes of the research are based upon relationships between patients, families and staff. This paper focuses on in-patient care for older people. A range of data generation activities were undertaken including: observation, interviews using emotional touch points and reflective accounts. To highlight outcomes in compassionate care, this paper uses case studies from two participating services. Principles of compassionate care were derived from understanding experiences of patients, relatives and staff and initiating responsive action projects. The aim was to enhance the experience of relationship centred, compassionate care. The process of emotional touch points enabled a richer understanding of experience. In terms of outcomes for patients this involved, enhanced quality of time spent with family and opening up conversations between families and staff. Outcomes for families involved enhanced access to relevant information and the opportunity to make sense of their situation. Staff outcomes were gaining experience in working alongside family to co-create the service, enhanced understanding of the experiences of patients and relatives led to direct changes in individual and team practices

Citation

Smith, S., Dewar, B., Pullin, S., & Tocher, R. (2010). Relationship centred outcomes focused on compassionate care for older people within in-patient care settings: Relationship centred compassionate care. International Journal of Older People Nursing, 5(2), 128-136. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-3743.2010.00224.x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 24, 2010
• Publication Date: 2010-06
• Deposit Date: Nov 14, 2012
• Journal: International Journal of Older People Nursing
• Print ISSN: 1748-3735
• Electronic ISSN: 1748-3743
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 128-136
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-3743.2010.00224.x
• Keywords: Action research; appreciative inquiry; compassionate care; continuing care; older people; relationship centred care
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/5746
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-3743.2010.00224.x