Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 May 30;24(1):476.
doi: 10.1186/s12877-024-05023-z.

Exploring geriatric trauma unit experiences through patients' eyes: a qualitative study

Kristen Molendijk-van Nieuwenhuyzen  1 , Renske Belt-van Opstal #  2 , Lysette Hakvoort #  3 , Jeroen Dikken #  4
Affiliations

Exploring geriatric trauma unit experiences through patients' eyes: a qualitative study

Kristen Molendijk-van Nieuwenhuyzen et al. BMC Geriatr. .

Abstract

Introduction: The surgical management of older patients is complex due to age-related underlying comorbidities and decreased physiological reserves. Comanaged care models, such as the Geriatric Trauma Unit, are proven effective in treating the complex needs of patients with fall-related injuries. While patient-centered care is an important feature of these comanaged care models, there has been minimal research dedicated to investigating the patient experience within Geriatric Trauma Units. Therefore, it remains uncertain whether the Geriatric Trauma Unit's emphasis on a patient-centered approach truly manifests in these interactions. This study explores how patients with fall-related injuries admitted to a Geriatric Trauma Unit perceive and experience patient-centered care during hospitalization.

Methods: This qualitative generic study was conducted in three teaching hospitals that integrated the principles of comanaged care in trauma care for older patients. Between January 2021 and May 2022, 21 patients were interviewed.

Results: The findings highlight the formidable challenges that older patients encounter during their treatment for fall-related injuries, which often signify a loss of independence and personal autonomy. The findings revealed a gap in the consistent and continuous implementation of patient-centered care, with many healthcare professionals still viewing patients mainly through the lens of their injuries, rather than as individuals with distinct healthcare needs. Although focusing on fracture-specific care and physical rehabilitation aligns with some patient preferences, overlooking broader needs undermines the comprehensive approach to care in the Geriatric Trauma Unit.

Conclusion: Effective patient-centered care in Geriatric Trauma Units requires full adherence to its core elements: patient engagement, strong patient-provider relationships, and a patient-focused environment. This study shows that deviations from these principles can undermine care, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that extends beyond treating immediate medical conditions.

Keywords: Comanaged Care Model; Fall-related injury; Fractures; Geriatric Trauma Unit; Orthogeriatrics; Patient experience; Patient-Centered Care.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig.
Fig.
Flowchart patient recruitment
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Organization WH. Fact sheets: Falls 2021 [ https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/falls
    1. Ageing WHO, Unit LC. WHO global report on falls prevention in older age. World Health Organization; 2008.
    1. Abrahamsen B, Van Staa T, Ariely R, Olson M, Cooper C. Excess mortality following hip fracture: a systematic epidemiological review. Osteoporos Int. 2009;20:1633–50. doi: 10.1007/s00198-009-0920-3. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Brauer CA, Coca-Perraillon M, Cutler DM, Rosen AB. Incidence and mortality of hip fractures in the United States. JAMA. 2009;302(14):1573–9. doi: 10.1001/jama.2009.1462. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. DeLa’O CM, Kashuk J, Rodriguez A, Zipf J, Dumire RD. The Geriatric Trauma Institute: reducing the increasing burden of senior trauma care. Am J Surg. 2014;208(6):988–94. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2014.08.007. - DOI - PubMed