Experiences and Expectations of Relatives Regarding the Care of Patients Admitted to a Regional Hospital in the Kavango East Region, Namibia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-5293/19478Keywords:
expectations, experiences, communication, hospitals, patient care, qualitative, quality of health care, satisfactionAbstract
Family involvement in patient care within hospital settings is increasingly being acknowledged as fundamental to enhancing communication, quality of care, and patient decision-making. In Namibia, there is a notable lack of research on the experiences and expectations of relatives regarding the care of patients admitted to medical and surgical wards at a regional hospital in the Kavango East region, Namibia (hereafter the hospital). This study aimed to explore and describe the experiences and expectations of relatives regarding the care of patients admitted to the hospital. A qualitative approach was employed utilising an exploratory, contextual and descriptive design. The study was conducted from August to October 2024 among relatives of patients admitted to medical and surgical wards at the hospital. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with the relatives of 15 patients who were selected via a purposive sampling method. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data was analysed using a thematic analysis. The study identified four key themes, namely: (1) experiences of relatives regarding patient care; (2) expectations of hospital and healthcare professionals; (3) hospital environment and facilities; and (4) staffing and management processes. Thus, it can be concluded that the study findings fill a critical gap in current understanding of the role of relatives regarding patient care by translating abstract concepts into specific, measurable actions. The study findings can be used to develop targeted interventions and ongoing strategies to support family-inclusive care models in hospital settings worldwide.
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