First experiences with a two-step method for discussing goals with community-dwelling frail older people
Publication year
2015Source
Health Expectations, 18, 5, (2015), pp. 1559-66ISSN
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

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Organization
IQ Healthcare
Primary and Community Care
Geriatrics
Journal title
Health Expectations
Volume
vol. 18
Issue
iss. 5
Page start
p. 1559
Page end
p. 66
Subject
Radboudumc 18: Healthcare improvement science RIHS: Radboud Institute for Health Sciences; Radboudumc 1: Alzheimer`s disease DCMN: Donders Center for Medical NeuroscienceAbstract
BACKGROUND: Although frail older people can be more reluctant to become involved in clinical decision making, they do want professionals to take their concerns and wishes into account. Discussing goals can help professionals to achieve this. OBJECTIVE: To describe the development of a two-step method for discussing goals with frail older people in primary care and professionals' first experiences with it. METHODS: The method consisted of (i) an open-ended question: If there is one thing we can do for you to improve your situation, what would you like? if necessary, followed by (ii) a bubble diagram with goal subject categories. We reviewed the goals elaborated with the method and surveyed professionals' (primary care nurses and social workers) experiences, using questions concerning time investment, reasons for not formulating goals, and perceived value of the method. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-seven community-dwelling frail older people described 173 goals. These most frequently concerned mobility (n = 43; 24.9%), well-being (n = 52; 30.1%) and social context (n = 57; 32.9%). Professionals (n = 18) were generally positive about the method, as it improved their knowledge about what the frail older person valued. Not all frail older people formulated goals; reasons for this included being perfectly comfortable, not being used to discussing goals or cognitive problems limiting their ability to formulate goals. CONCLUSIONS: This two-step method for discussing goals can assist professionals in gaining insight into what a frail older person values. This can guide professionals and frail older people in choosing the most appropriate treatment option, thus increasing frail older people's involvement in decision making.
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- Academic publications [227900]
- Electronic publications [107393]
- Faculty of Medical Sciences [86236]
- Open Access publications [76515]
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