@mastersthesis{b224c5fe438c4c33bc084a88c101207d,
title = "Allocated contact person: Does having a contact person during admission make a difference to patients?",
keywords = "nursing, DDKM, Den Danske Kvalitetsmodel, kontaktperson, kontaktsygeplejersker, patienters erfaringer",
author = "Alstrup, \{Malene Hangaard\}",
note = "Background: A health care contact person is a health professional (i.e. a nurse) who is allocated responsibility for coordinating care in relation to a patient´s pathway and is directly involved in the care of the patient. The broad aim of this study was to explore the extent to which the allocated contact person programme met the expectations of patients´. In particular, the study was designed to explore the aspects of their relationship with the allocated contact person that are valued by patients. Method: Because little is known about patients´ perception of the program and their experiences with having a contact person during admission, a qualitative study using a hermeneutic approach was used. Six former patients who had been admitted to the Women´s Department at the Regional Hospital in Viborg were interviewed about their experiences with the allocated contact person programme during admission. Data were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Findings: Throughout the process of reading and re-reading in accordance with the hermeneutic approach, three broad themes in relation to participants{\textquoteright} experience of the allocated contact person programme emerged. The themes were: (1) {\textquoteleft}Being there{\textquoteright} (presence), (2) Communication, and (3) Personality. All three themes were related to participants{\textquoteright} experience of being allocated a contact person during their admission. Conclusion: This study revealed that an allocated contact person has the potential to make a difference to patients during their admission. The role of the allocated contact person was found to have both personal and therapeutic dimensions. To meet the expectations of the patients, they must be treated as individuals with individual needs.",
year = "2012",
month = nov,
day = "30",
language = "English",
}