A grounded theory interview study with care home staff

Fawn Harrad-Hyde, Natalie Armstrong, Chris Williams First Published December 6, 2021

Background:

Advance care planning has been identified as one of few modifiable factors that could reduce hospital transfers from care homes. Several types of documents may be used by patients and clinicians to record these plans. However, little is known about how plans are perceived and used by care home staff at the time of deterioration.

Conclusions:

Written plans provide reassurance for care home staff, reducing concerns about personal and professional risk. However, care home staff have limited discretion to interpret plans and transfers may occur if plans are not specific enough for care home staff to use confidently.

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Sage Journals Palliative Medicine Source: Using advance and emergency care plans during transfer decisions: A grounded theory interview study with care home staff – Fawn Harrad-Hyde, Natalie Armstrong, Chris Williams, 2022