Williams, C. and Gardiner, C. (2015) Preference for a single or shared room in a UK inpatient hospice: patient, family and staff perspectives. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care, 5 (2). 169 - 174. ISSN 2045-435X
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the preferences of patients, family and staff for single or shared rooms in a UK hospice.
METHOD: Semistructured interviews were conducted with patients, informal carers and staff at a hospice, focusing on room type preference.
RESULTS: 14 current and former hospice inpatients, 15 patients attending the hospice day centre, 23 carers of current and former inpatients and 10 hospice staff were interviewed. Patients most often stated a preference for a shared room, especially if they had experience of being in this room type at the hospice. The main reason for this preference was the company of others. Patients preferring single rooms cited the benefits of increased privacy, reduced noise and private facilities. Other patients said their room preference would depend on how ill they were. Carers valued the social contact and increased staff presence in shared rooms, but felt that single rooms were easier for visitors and more appropriate when patients reached the end of life. Staff found it easier to observe patients in a shared room, and to maintain privacy and confidentiality in a single room.
CONCLUSIONS: The study concludes that single and shared rooms should be available in a hospice. Innovative planning can enable the social benefits of shared rooms to be maintained without compromising patients' privacy and dignity.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2014 BMJ Publishing Group. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Hospice care; palliative care; patient preference; patients’ rooms; staff attitude |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Health and Related Research (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 14 Oct 2015 17:44 |
Last Modified: | 22 Oct 2015 13:35 |
Published Version: | https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2013-000514 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | BMJ Publishing Group |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1136/bmjspcare-2013-000514 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:90852 |