Edinburgh Napier University

  AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

To investigate the experiences of patients with intellectual disabilities, family and paid carers regarding the role of liaison nurses and the delivery of compassionate, person-centred care. From this to propose a model of person-centred care embedded in these experiences.

BACKGROUND:

People with intellectual disabilities have a high number of comorbidities, requiring multidisciplinary care, and are at high risk of morbidity and preventable mortality. Provision of compassionate, person-centred care is essential to prevent complications and avoid death.

DESIGN:

A qualitative design was adopted with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis for data analysis.

METHODS:

Semistructured interviews and focus groups were conducted. Data were analysed with a focus on compassionate, person-centred care elements and components. Themes were modelled to develop a clinically meaningful model for practice.

RESULTS:

Themes identified vulnerability, presence and the human interface; information balance; critical points and broken trust; roles and responsibilities; managing multiple transitions; 'flagging up' and communication.

CONCLUSIONS:

The findings provide the first 'anatomy' of compassionate, person-centred care and provide a model for operationalising this approach in practice. The applicability of the model will have to be evaluated further with this and other vulnerable groups.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE:

This is the first study to provide a definition of compassionate, person-centred care and proposes a model to support its application into clinical practice for this and other vulnerable groups