A survey study of family members' encounters with healthcare services within the care of older people, psychiatric care, palliative care and diabetes care

I have never been invited-A cross-sectional explorative study of family members' experiences of encounters with healthcare professionals in diabetes care

AIM

To explore the experiences of family members of adult persons with type 1 diabetes concerning both the approach of healthcare professionals and feelings of alienation in encounters with professional diabetes care.

METHODS

A cross-sectional explorative quantitative and qualitative design. The Family Involvement and Alienation Questionnaire-Revised (FIAQ-R), including an open-ended question, was answered by 37 family members of adult persons with type 1 diabetes. Analyses included descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis. The study has received ethical approval.

RESULTS

Family members rated the approach of the healthcare professionals as being somewhat positive and considered that the approach towards them is important. They only felt partially alienated from the professional care. Qualitative data revealed that the family members often lacked direct access to the professional care and that their involvement was dependent on their relationship with the person with diabetes. Findings highlighted that the family members' wish to be involved in the care was sometimes unanswered.

CONCLUSION

Based on the findings, it is reasonable to stress the importance of considering family members' perspectives and involving them in diabetes care to improve overall patient support.

Need of support for significant others to persons with borderline personality disorder-A Swedish focus group study

BACKGROUND

Being a significant other (SO) to a person with borderline personality disorder (BPD) affect their health. High incidence of substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, stress, fear, anxiety, depression, family burden and grief are common. Some specific therapies for BPD, have included support to SOs, however resources are scarce and to participate in the support it assumes that the person with BPD is included in these therapies. Although the SO support has been shown to be helpful, they all have a similar structure, and only a small exclusive group of SOs have access to the support.

AIM

The aim was to describe experiences and need of support for significant others to persons with borderline personality disorder from the perspective of themselves and of health care workers.

METHODS

Data was collected via two focus groups. One with five SOs to persons with BPD, one with five health care workers. Two interview sessions in each group were conducted and data were analysed with qualitative content analysis. The study was approved by the research ethics committee of Lund (2016-1026).

RESULTS

The results revealed four themes; not being seen by health care professionals creates hopelessness, being seen by healthcare professionals creates trust, experience of support - helpful or shameful and the step from loosely structured support to a structured support group. Both groups expressed a need for further support as a complement to already existing support.

CONCLUSIONS

The need of support is extensive. The results suggest a professional coordinator intended for SOs and peer support groups not linked to a particular psychiatric treatment yet offering support in a structured way. Further studies examining these complements to existing support, is therefore recommended.