Short Communication: Opportunities and Challenges for Early Person-Centered Care for Older Patients in Emergency Settings

Andrea N. Jensen, Ove Andersen, Hejdi Gamst-Jensen and Maria Kristiansen
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Andrea N. Jensen: Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital—Amager and Hvidovre, Kettegaard Allé 30, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
Ove Andersen: Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital—Amager and Hvidovre, Kettegaard Allé 30, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
Hejdi Gamst-Jensen: Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital—Amager and Hvidovre, Kettegaard Allé 30, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
Maria Kristiansen: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Oester Farimagsgade 5, 1014 Copenhagen, Denmark

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-8

Abstract: The provision of person-centered care (PCC) for older adults in emergency settings is important. This short communication explores the complexity of providing comprehensive PCC for older adults in emergency settings, based on a synthesis of existing literature and empirical data from a small-scale case study on the potential of improving patient engagement in a Danish emergency department (ED). Our findings highlight overall positive attitudes towards PCC, as patient engagement is perceived as important and feasible during the waiting hours that older patients experience. However, the key challenges include barriers in organizational structures and cross-sectoral care coordination. We conclude that staff education, optimized care coordination across sectors, and increased involvement of geriatric nurses may enhance the provision of PCC for older, complex adults in EDs. We further conclude that future research into the feasibility and effects of structured approaches for providing PCC in EDs is needed, including exploration of organizational models for PCC.

Keywords: person-centered care; emergency department; patient engagement; frail older adults; qualitative research; communication (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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