Table 1 Example of the analytical process used for qualitative content analysis
From: What relatives of older medical patients want us to know - a mixed-methods study
Meaning unit | Condensed meaning unit | Code | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
Most of them [staff] were stressed and had very little time to inform relatives when asked (Daughter, age 43) | Staff was stressed and gave little information | Workload is a barrier for communication | The evasive white flock |
I find it very difficult to tell the difference between nurses, doctors, porters etc. it makes it very difficult to approach the right one – in my case a nurse (Son, age 36) | Difficult to distinguish between staff groups | Approachability | The evasive white flock |
Even though I made staff aware that my father lived on nutritional protein drinks after surgery for throat cancer, they kept serving him brown bread and stuff like that. For a whole day he got nothing to eat or drink… (Daughter, age 65) | Staff not considerate of eating issues and did not provide appropriate food | Basic care need: Eat and drink adequately | Absence of care |
Came home in rainy weather in a taxi wearing nothing but slippers, white long underpants and an undershirt. It was cold. (Son, age 66) | Patient was sent home in his underwear in cold weather | Basic care need: maintaining body temperature and dignity | Absence of care |
We had to seek all information ourselves, and a discharge meeting was held only after I put my foot down (Son, age 59) | Information and involvement only happened upon relative’s own initiative | Lack of communication and involvement | Invisible & unrecognised |
My father was for a while treated as a diabetic patient with insulin injections, although he is not diabetic. I made staff aware of this, but I was rejected. 3 days went by, before they stopped the injections. (Daughter, age 56) | Staff did not pay attention to the relative, and treated the patient incorrectly | Lack of communication and involvement | Invisible & unrecognised |