References
Haematology CNSs’ understanding and application of person-centred care: a pilot qualitative evaluation
Abstract
Aim:
To explore the experiences of haematology clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) when delivering person-centred care (PCC). Particularly, the barriers and facilitators to its delivery, the specialists’ understanding of PCC, and how they evaluate its success.
Methods:
A total of eight participants were interviewed using semi-structured interviews that were conducted virtually. The interview questions generated qualitative data to explore the experiences of the haematology CNS team. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and stored in a password-protected folder. The data were then thematically analysed and coded to generate the findings.
Findings:
All participants reported a shared understanding of PCC, supporting the current theories and literature surrounding it. They raised factors that acted as both facilitators and barriers towards the delivery of PCC. Additionally, the research identified a lack of awareness and use of methods to evaluate the effectiveness of the care the CNSs delivered.
Conclusions:
This study offers an initial exploration into the experiences of haematology CNSs delivering PCC. This understanding could lead to the removal of barriers, thus enhancing the patient experience and quality of care. Recommendations are made to evaluate PCC through involving patients to share their views on what successful PCC means to them, and their ideas on how their nursing team might achieve this.
Person-centred care (PCC) has become a key objective for national policy and its regulators to improve the quality of care and clinical outcomes (Department of Health, 2008; Care Quality Commission (CQC), 2022). A variety of terms have been discussed such as ‘patient-centred care’ (Rathert et al, 2013) and ‘personalisation’, which Kitson et al (2013) described as care based on the patient's physical and emotional needs. These terms embody an approach that focuses on seeing patients, caregivers and families as participants in their care rather than as beneficiaries. However, PCC is better thought to encapsulate the ‘whole person’ (Ekman et al, 2011).
Nilsson et al (2019) found that there was a strong consensus in the nurses’ understanding of PCC, both individually and within the team. They acknowledged the importance of involving patients and their carers in matters surrounding their care decisions. This concept is echoed in a similar study by Prato et al (2019) as health professionals reported that PCC requires valuing and empowering the patient. Considering this research, within this study, the term ‘person-centred care’ (PCC) will be used, reflecting seeing the patient as a whole person and not reducing him or her to just their symptoms and/or disease, as discussed by Ekman (2011).
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting British Journal of Nursing and reading some of our peer-reviewed resources for nurses. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Limited access to clinical or professional articles
-
Unlimited access to the latest news, blogs and video content