International journal of evidence-based healthcare
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Int J Evid Based Healthc · Jun 2014
Review Meta AnalysisA qualitative metasynthesis: family involvement in decision making for people with dementia in residential aged care.
Involving people in decisions about their care is good practice and ensures optimal outcomes. Despite considerable research, in practice family involvement in decision making can be challenging for both care staff and families. The aim of this review was to identify and appraise existing knowledge about family involvement in decision making for people with dementia living in residential aged care. ⋯ Results indicate varied and complex experiences and multiple factors influencing decision making. Communication and contacts between staff and families and the support available for families should be addressed, as well as the role of different stakeholders in decisions.
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Int J Evid Based Healthc · Mar 2013
Review Meta AnalysisRecognition of the health assistant as a delegated clinical role and their inclusion in models of care: a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative evidence.
Assistants have been utilised worldwide in healthcare as a means to ensure the provision of adequate and efficient healthcare in the midst of increased pressures on health services for many years. This review aimed to synthesise available qualitative evidence regarding the appropriateness of strategies used to establish the health assistant role as a recognised delegated clinical role and to promote their inclusion in models of care. This review focused on how to make strategies appropriate for health assistants and professionals. Health assistants were defined as those who provide assistance and support to health professionals by whom they are directly or indirectly supervised in all healthcare and health education sectors. ⋯ Qualitative meta-synthesis was performed providing a unique perspective on the role of health assistants and strategies used to include them in models of care. These synthesised findings can be used to guide practice in healthcare organisations considering strategies for implementing the assistant role, or where assistants are currently utilised.
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Int J Evid Based Healthc · Dec 2011
Review Meta AnalysisA comprehensive systematic review of visitation models in adult critical care units within the context of patient- and family-centred care.
The aim of this review was to appraise and synthesise the best available evidence on visitation models used in adult intensive care units in acute care hospitals and to explicate their congruence with the core concepts of patient- and family-centred care (PFCC). ⋯ Flexible visiting policies provide the ability to incorporate the concepts of PFCC into practice. However, nurses believe that while visiting is beneficial to patients, open and/or flexible visiting hours are an impediment to practice and increase their workload. Recommendations for best practice were formulated based on the outcomes and include visiting hours should be used as guidelines, not rules, that allow flexibility dependent upon individual patient/family situation. With regard to congruence with PFCC, patient and family requests for information emerged as an unmet need that needs to be addressed.