What the doctor doesn’t know: Discarded patient knowledge of older adults with multimorbidity

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 212-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra B Ryborg Joensson ◽  
Ann Dorrit Guassora ◽  
Morten Freil ◽  
Susanne Reventlow
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Clinical Encounter ◽  
Personal Knowledge ◽  
Patient Knowledge ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Adherence To Treatment

ObjectivesAdherence to treatment has proven to require the involvement of patients in treatment and care planning. This process involves incorporating patient knowledge, or knowledge about the patients’ everyday life, into the clinical encounter. This article explores the disclosure practices of such knowledge from older adults with multimorbidity.MethodsThis was an 18-month qualitative study among 14 older adults with multimorbidity living in Denmark. A thematic analysis was applied, focusing on perceptions of patient knowledge and disclosure practices among the participating patients.ResultsOlder adults with multimorbidity have various reasons for not disclosing personal knowledge. The results present three different domains of what we termed discarded patient knowledge: (1) knowledge that had no direct biomedical relevance from participants’ perspective; (2) knowledge considered too private; and (3) knowledge assumed to position one as inferior.DiscussionThe participants made judgments on what they believed was welcome in the clinical encounter, framing their knowledge within the purview of biomedicine. Participants’ disclosure practices showed that personal knowledge is sometimes not recognized as important for health and care by participants themselves. Knowledge that could have influenced practitioners’ understanding of the problem and provided different solutions, is argued to be discarded patient knowledge.

scholarly journals Voices of Experience: What Do Low-Income Older Adults Tell Us About Mobility, Technology, and Social Participation?

2021 ◽  
pp. 073346482110125
Author(s):  
Haley B. Gallo ◽  
Lia W. Marshall ◽  
Lené Levy-Storms ◽  
Kathleen H. Wilber ◽  
Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Diverse Group ◽  
Senior Center ◽  
Perceived Safety

Mobility and technology can facilitate in-person and virtual social participation to help reduce social isolation, but issues exist regarding older adults’ access, feasibility, and motivation to use various forms of mobility and technology. This qualitative study explores how a diverse group of low-income, urban-living older adults use mobility and technology for social participation. We conducted six focus groups ( N = 48), two each in English, Spanish, and Korean at a Los Angeles senior center. Three major themes emerged from thematic analysis: using technology for mobility; links between mobility and social participation; and technology-mediated social participation. Cost, perceived safety, (dis)ability, and support from family and friends were related to mobility and technology use. This study demonstrates the range of mobility and technology uses among older adults and associated barriers. The findings can help establish a pre-COVID-19 baseline on how to make mobility and technology more accessible for older adults at risk of isolation.

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Conduct of Everyday Life After Bereavement by Suicide: A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisbeth Hybholt ◽  
Lene Lauge Berring ◽  
Annette Erlangsen ◽  
Elene Fleischer ◽  
Jørn Toftegaard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Everyday Life

How Psychosocial Factors Contribute to Japanese Older Adults’ Initiation of Advance Care Planning Discussions: A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 073346482091153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Miyashita ◽  
Ayako Kohno ◽  
Yosuke Yamamoto ◽  
Sayaka Shimizu ◽  
Teruhisa Azuma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Family Caregiving ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Advance Care ◽  
Family Centered

Objectives: This study aimed to reveal the features of older adults’ advance care planning (ACP) discussions by identifying psychosocial factors related to their discussions in Japan, where people value family-centered decision making. Methods: A qualitative study using in-depth interviews was conducted with 39 participants (aged ≥65 years) recruited from the outpatient department of a community hospital in Fukushima, Japan. Data were analyzed using the grounded theory approach. Results: Through experiences of family caregiving, participants became aware of their own feelings about the end of life. Equal relationship with family members was important for lowering the threshold for having discussions. Some participants and their families in the same generation reached agreements on ACP; however, they were willing to yield to children’s decision making despite these discussions. Discussions: These findings provide insights into the psychosocial factors in relation to ACP discussions and support for the role of ACP discussions in the family-centered decision-making culture.

scholarly journals ‘All the corridors are the same’: a qualitative study of the orientation experiences and design preferences of UK older adults living in a communal retirement development

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. 1791-1816 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARY O'MALLEY ◽  
ANTHEA INNES ◽  
SARAH MUIR ◽  
JAN M. WIENER
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Environmental Design ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Design Preferences ◽  
With Memory

ABSTRACTEnvironments need to be designed such that they support successful orientation for older adults and those with dementia who often experience marked difficulties in their orientation abilities. To better understand how environments can compensate for decreasing orientation skills, voice should be given directly to those experiencing dementia to describe how they find their way and to understand their design preferences. This study explored the navigational experiences and design preferences of older adults with memory difficulties living in a retirement development. In-depth semi-structured interviews with 13 older adults experiencing memory difficulties were conducted. All participants were residents of one retirement development in the United Kingdom. Questions began broadly, for example, to describe their experiences of navigating in their living environment, before discussing any specific navigation difficulties in detail. Thematic analysis identified three main themes: highlighting environmental design that causes disorientation, strategies to overcome disorientation, and residents’ suggestions to improve the design. The design suggestions were particularly informative, heavily focusing on the importance of having memorable and meaningful spaces which were favoured more than signage as an orientation aid. The findings demonstrate the need to consider environmental design to support orientation for those with memory difficulties. Of particular importance is the use of meaningful and relevant landmarks as orientation aids which can additionally stimulate conversation and increase wellbeing. Given the range of suggestions in dementia-friendly design guidelines aimed to support orientation, it is crucial to speak directly to those living in different environments to learn how they find their way around and what design works in their environment.

Irrelevant Gadgets or a Source of Worry

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Dimitri Vargemidis ◽  
Kathrin Gerling ◽  
Vero Vanden Abeele ◽  
Luc Geurts ◽  
Katta Spiel
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Wearable Activity Trackers

Wearable activity trackers are routinely applied in physical activity (PA) interventions in late life, but there is little research that focuses on older adults' perspectives on the technology. We conducted a qualitative study with 24 older persons to explore their perspective on wearables and PA. First, we discussed their relationship with PA and wearable trackers during focus groups. Next, nine participants crafted prototypes for wearables during co-design sessions. Through Thematic Analysis, we identified two main themes: (1) PA is personal in terms of preferred activities and reasons for PA, and (2) wearables are an emotional technology, causing negative emotions when resembling medical trackers or pressurizing to perform. We followed upon these results through a survey with 41 participants, which further highlighted individual differences in the perception of wearables. We conclude with questions to guide the design of wearables and reflect on their role to support PA in late life.

scholarly journals The Peer Experience for Older People Encouraging Other Older People to Engage in Resistance Training: A Qualitative Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paige M. Watkins ◽  
Elissa Burton ◽  
Anne-Marie Hill
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Peer Mentoring ◽  
Positive Experience ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Low Levels

Resistance training (RT) can maintain and improve physical and mental health in older adults, but this population has low levels of RT participation. Linking older people participating in RT (i.e., peers) with those who have not may promote and maintain adherence. This qualitative study explored the experience of peers in encouraging RT participation among older adults. Data were collected using focus groups, researcher observations, and semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted. Older people (n = 8) who engaged in RT prior to recruitment, participated as peers. Each provided peer support for between one and four RT participants for 6 weeks. The peer role was perceived by peers as potentially leading to a relationship which benefitted both parties. Peers reported that helping and supporting others was a positive experience and raised their self-efficacy. Difficulty initiating contact and differing expectations of peers and RT participants were viewed as challenges. Peer mentoring could help promote RT participation among older adults.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document