Hospitalization Experience of Patients Admitted to Nursing Care Integrated Service Wards in Small and Medium-size General Hospitals

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify meaning and essential structure of the hospitalization of patients in nursing care integrated service wards of small and medium-size general hospitals. Methods: Experiential data were collected through in-depth interviews with 10 patients who had been hospitalized in nursing care integrated service wards of medium general hospitals. The main question was ‘Could you describe your hospitalization experience in nursing care integrated service wards of medium general hospitals?’, and collected data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s Phenomenological Research Method. Results: Four categories obtained were ‘Realize the system that is not established yet’, ‘Secure care services which are less of a psychological and financial burden’, ‘Thanks for care providers’, and ‘Confident of the hopeful system to desire to reuse in the future.’ Conclusion: Patients in nursing care integrated service wards of small and medium-size general hospitals were satisfied with the reduction of mental and financial burden caused by nursing and were thankful to nursing staff, who put a lot of efforts into nursing. But, at the same time, they were confused and inconvenienced by the services that were not yet completely established. To improve this situation, it is thought that institutional complements including development of a service standardization manual would be helpful.