When the Home Becomes the Setting for Hospital Treatment: A Qualitative Study of Relatives' Experiences.
Kiki Bjørnholdt Bertelsen, Mia Ingerslev Loft
PMID 40195569WHAT IT FOUND
Cohabiting relatives preferred hospital treatment at home, but felt it was chosen for them, not with them.
They wanted clear information about treatment, pumps and alarms, and a reachable nurse, while often sacrificing their own routines.
Key findings
01Relatives unanimously preferred hospital treatment at home to conventional hospitalisation, describing home as a more peaceful setting and avoiding daily travel.
02Relatives accepted hospital treatment at home as a decision made without their involvement, and they wanted information about treatment plans, medication, infusion pump alarms and direct contact with a nurse.
03Regular, respectful nurse visits and a predictable schedule made relatives feel secure, while unclear schedules and unreachable help created anxiety.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study reports relatives' experiences, not patient outcomes or safety. The sample was small and purposive, from a Danish hospital service. The relatives were older adults and self-sufficient, so the most vulnerable caregivers were not represented. Relatives of terminal patients and relatives with dementia were excluded. The interviewers were nurses, and one was employed in the same department, which may shape interpretation.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that relatives are always willing or able to take on caregiving because they preferred hospital treatment at home. The study describes a small, self-sufficient group of relatives, some of whom reported strain and unmet information needs.