ObjectiveWe designed a Patient and Family Participation Education Program (PFEP) with the aim of fostering a positive attitude and enhancing the competencies of hospital nurses required for effective patient and family participation in care.MethodsIn a Dutch university hospital, we conducted a before-after study. The PFEP comprising three courses: family conversation, supporting shared decision-making, and health literacy. We assessed nursing attitudes using the FINC-NA questionnaire and competencies with a separate questionnaire before and three months after the program. Changes in attitudes and competencies were analyzed using regression analysis.ResultsTwenty-two nurses participated in the education group, and 58 participated as controls.After three months, the change scores for the education group were statistically significantly higher on the total attitude score (FINC-NA) compared to the control group. Moreover, in six out of twelve competencies, the education group demonstrated significantly higher scores than the control group.ConclusionThe educational program appeared effective in promoting nurses' attitudes and feelings of competencies towards patient and family-centered care.InnovationA blended education program focusing on patient and family has potential value for implementation in hospital care settings, especially for hospitals aiming to cultivate a more patient- and family-centered environment.
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AimTo synthesize the literature on the experiences of patients, families and healthcare professionals with video calls during hospital admission. Second, to investigate facilitators and barriers of implementation of video calls in hospital wards.DesignScoping review.MethodsPubMed, CINAHL and Google Scholar were searched for relevant publications in the period between 2011 and 2023. Publications were selected if they focused on experiences of patients, families or healthcare professionals with video calls between patients and their families; or between families of hospitalized patients and healthcare professionals. Quantitative and qualitative data were summarized in data charting forms.ResultsForty-three studies were included. Patients and families were satisfied with video calls as it facilitated daily communication. Family members felt more engaged and felt they could provide support to their loved ones during admission. Healthcare professionals experienced video calls as an effective way to communicate when in-person visits were not allowed. However, they felt that video calls were emotionally difficult as it was hard to provide support at distance and to use communication skills effectively. Assigning local champions and training of healthcare professionals were identified as facilitators for implementation. Technical issues and increased workload were mentioned as main barriers.ConclusionPatients, families and healthcare professionals consider video calls as a good alternative when in-person visits are not allowed. Healthcare professionals experience more hesitation towards video calls during admission, as it increases perceived workload. In addition, they are uncertain whether video calls are as effective as in-person conservations.Implications for the Clinical PracticeWhen implementing video calls in hospital wards, policymakers and healthcare professionals should select strategies that address the positive aspects of family involvement at distance and the use of digital communication skills.Patient ContributionNo patient or public contribution.
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Background and purpose: Many older patients with cancer have their family members, often their adult children, involved in a process of treatment decision making. Despite the growing awareness that family members can facilitate a process of shared decision making (SDM), literature about SDM pays little attention to family relations and strategies to facilitate family involvement in decision making processes. Therefor this study aimed to 1. explore surgeons' and nurses' perceptions about involvement of adult children in treatment decision-making for older patients; and 2. identify strategies surgeons' and nurses use to ensure positive family involvement. Methods: This study used a qualitative open in-depth interview design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 surgical oncologists and 13 oncology nurses in two hospitals in the Netherlands. Qualitative content analysis was conducted according to the steps of thematic analysis. Results: Surgeons and nurses indicated that adult children's involvement in decision-making increases when patients become frail. They reported beneficial and challenging characteristics of this involvement. Subsequently, six strategies to stimulate positive involvement of adult children in the decision-making process were revealed: 1. Focus on the patient; 2. Actively involve adult children; 3. Acknowledge different perspectives; 4. Get to know the family system; 5. Check that the patient and family members understand the information; and 6. Stimulate communication and deliberation with adult children.Conclusions and implications: Surgeons and nurses perceive involvement of adult children in treatment decision making for older patients with cancer as beneficial. Adult children can help these patients reach well-informed treatment decisions. Therefor surgeons and nurses stimulate the communication and deliberation between these patients and their adult children. However, involving family in treatment decision making also triggers specific complexities and challenges in treatment decision conversations that seem to call for the development and implementation of practical patient and family-centered strategies.
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