Involvement of relatives in care : the views of patients and their relatives

Abstract

The study was motivated by the question of whether relatives would like to become more involved in patient care. It explores the hypothesis that there is a present lack of participation in care. It also investigates whether both relatives and their related patients prefer physical, psychological, or both, aspects of involvement. In view of the lacuna in local nursing research, the study tries to identify and demonstrate possible gains or losses which the client/health worker relationship may experience with relatives' involvement in patient care. Results demonstrate that the wish towards participation bifurcates at the middle. Fifty percent (50%) opt for increased involvement and none wanted to participate in physical tasks only. The greater majority preferred psychological and information related interactions. Only twenty-two percent (22%) of relatives felt they were presently being involved in care; this contrasts with seventy two percent (72%) of patients' opinion that relatives have a satisfactory involvement in care. The study found that the present lack of involvement satisfies up to fifty percent (50%) of all relatives. The other half feel a need towards increasing their involvement, especially in tasks related to psychological support and increasing patient motivation towards regaining wellness.