Abstract
AimThe integration of families into healthcare services is being emphasized increasingly in healthcare polices. The aim of this study was to investigate how professionals during home visits support both patients and caregivers in accepting and accommodating to illness.DesignAn explorative qualitative design.MethodsParticipant observations from home visits (N = 20) of pulmonary ambulatory nurses to COPD patients in Norway, followed by interviews with these nurses.ResultsOur findings demonstrate the delicate nature of nurses’ work during home visits to COPD patients and their caregivers. They support both patients and caregivers in reconciling themselves with the negative consequences of illness, as well as giving legitimation to and potential room for, sustainable arrangements within the scope of the relationship. The nurses address significant issues, having transformative potential concerning attitudes and practices related to the management of illness and adjusting to a complex illness trajectory.
Highlights
In recent decades, there has been increasing emphasis in healthcare policies and practice worldwide on avoiding hospital admissions (Shepperd et al, 2016)
The aim of this study was to investigate how ambulatory nurses work during home visits to Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients
The first author accompanied three ambulatory nurses to 20 home visits to COPD patients (14 women and 6 men), each of which lasted between 30 min and 120 min
Summary
There has been increasing emphasis in healthcare policies and practice worldwide on avoiding hospital admissions (Shepperd et al, 2016). Various hospital‐at‐home models and ambulatory services are regarded as important in the provision of coordinated, tailored care for a growing population of chronically ill persons (Bourbeau & Saad, 2013; Ministry of Health & Care Services, 2013). These integrated care services often include aspects of rehabilitation, self‐manage‐ ment support and patient education. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive and incurable illness caused mainly by tobacco smoking (Mannino & Buist, 2007). It is characterized by the obstruction of lung airflow, which interferes with normal breathing.
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