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A palliative environment: Caring for seriously ill hospitalized patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 February 2014

Connie Timmermann ,
Lisbeth Uhrenfeldt ,
Mette Terp Høybye  and
Regner Birkelund
Connie Timmermann*
Affiliation:
Section of Nursing, Health; The Horsens Hospital Research Unit and Medical Department, Aarhus University, Horsens, Denmark
Lisbeth Uhrenfeldt
Affiliation:
Section of Nursing, Health; The Horsens Hospital Research Unit, Aarhus University, Horsens, Denmark
Mette Terp Høybye
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary Research Unit, Elective Surgery Center, Silkeborg Regional Hospital and Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
Regner Birkelund
Affiliation:
Institute of Regional Health Research; Lillebælt Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Connie Timmermann, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Horsens Regional Hospital Research Unit and Medical Department, 8000 Aarhus C, Horsens, Denmark. E-mail: [email protected].
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Abstract

Objective:

To explore how patients experience being in the hospital environment and the meaning they assign to the environment during serious illness.

Method:

A qualitative study design was applied, and the data analysis was inspired by Ricoeur's phenomenological-hermeneutic theory of interpretation. Data were collected through multiple qualitative interviews combined with observations at a teaching hospital in Denmark from May to September 2011. A total of 12 patients participated.

Results:

The findings showed that the hospital environment has a strong impact on patients' emotions and well-being. They reported that aesthetic decorations and small cozy spots for conversation or relaxation created a sense of homeliness that reinforced a positive mood and personal strength. Furthermore, being surrounded by some of their personal items or undertaking familiar tasks, patients were able to maintain a better sense of self. Maintaining at least some kind of familiar daily rhythm was important for their sense of well-being and positive emotions.

Significance of Results:

The results stress the importance of an aesthetically pleasing and homelike hospital environment as part of palliative care, since the aesthetic practice and a sense of homeliness strengthened patients' experiences of well-being, relief, and positive emotions while in a vulnerable situation. Such knowledge could encourage the development of new policies regarding appropriate care settings, which in turn could result in overall improved care during serious illness.

Keywords

Hospital environmentPalliative careWell-beingHomelinessAesthetics
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , April 2015 , pp. 201 - 209
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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