Older Adult and Family Caregiver Perspectives on Engagement in Primary Care.
Karen B Hirschman, Eleanor Rivera, Justine S Sefcik and 5 others
PMID 36286501WHAT IT FOUND
Older patients and caregivers said engagement meant being proactive, discussing goals, following plans, and knowing when to seek care.
Most linked engagement to provider relationships: holistic care, trust, shared choices, clear communication.
Key findings
01Most participants described being proactive in seeking care (16/20) and wanting goals-based treatment discussions (13/20).
02Almost all participants (18/20) said the patient-provider relationship shaped engagement, including holistic care, trust, shared decision-making, and tailored communication.
03Some participants described self-triaging care needs (8/20), and two described past experiences with providers that led to distrust.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The participants were patient and family advisory committee members, not a representative sample of the practices' patients. The study did not collect education level or reasons for joining the advisory committee. Advisory committee members may have been selected or nominated by practice staff, which could make their statements about engagement more positive.
Declared interests
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as proof that patient advisory committees improve care or that person-centered visits increase engagement. The study describes what 20 advisory committee members said about their experiences, and the authors note these members may not represent the wider patient population.