The experiences, needs and expectations of patients regarding participation at home: an explorative study in Belgium

Abstract

Background: Patients have an important role in the improvement of their health. Patient participation is a key component to achieving this. Some form of patient participation is already present in home care, but this needs to be optimised.

Aim: Gaining insight into the expectations, experiences and needs of patients regarding patient participation in home care.

Design: A qualitative design was used.

Setting: The study was conducted in the Flemish part of Belgium, in a purposeful sample of patients who have already received nursing care at home for at least 6 weeks.

Methods: Semi-structured face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted and analysed using the Qualitative Analyse Guide of Leuven.

Results: Patient participation in home care is a dynamic process. A total of six components, which interact with each other, were identified that explain this process.

Conclusion: Patient participation in home care is the interaction of different components of a whole mechanism. Within this mechanism, home nurses play a key role to facilitate participation for patients.

Keywords: Patient participation; experiences; home care; home nurses; perceptions; qualitative study.