6.6.3 An exploration of hope on a trauma unit: The views of staff and patients (191)

Liz Tutton, Senior Research Fellow, School of Health and Social Studies, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom e.tutton@warwick.ac.uk

Abstract:

Background:

Hope as a concept has long been considered to be an important part of daily life and is discussed extensively in many areas of the literature. In general hope is appealing because it focuses on how people survive and look forward to life, despite the many traumas and disruptive events that occur. This presentation explores how hope is understood within trauma care from the perspectives of staff and patients.

Aims:

The study extends existing knowledge for practice by exploring the meaning of hope for patients and staff on a trauma unit.

Methods:

The study drew on the principles of ethnography undertaking 21 hours of observation and qualitative interviews with 10 patients and 10 members of staff. Two focus groups with staff were held to explore preliminary findings from the study. Data collection commenced in March 2007 and will be completed in October 2007. Data were analysed line-by-line and coded using QSR N6 as a means of managing the data.

Results:

The preliminary findings identified that hope in trauma care is centred on the immediacy and unfolding nature of daily life. For patients generalised hope focussed on tangible outcomes such as discharge and increasing functional ability. Particularised hope was predominantly influenced by perceived progress through treatment paths. Staff used a form of realistic hopefulness to balance the potentially harsh consequences of traumatic injury for their patients. They also used hope to sustain a belief in the support of colleagues and the organisation itself.

Discussion:

The discussion focuses on the meanings that patients and staff attribute to hope and the opportunities for therapeutic interactions.

Conclusion:

Hope is a useful concept for examining the way in which patients experience care, how best to support staff in the delivery of that care, and the interaction between the two.

Biography:

Liz Tutton Senior Research Fellow, Trauma Unit,John Radcliffe,Oxford/RCN Research Institute, University of Warwick BSc, MSc, PhD, RN, PGCEA I am currently undertaking research within the Trauma Unit, Oxford, whilst also continuing my work with older people within the RCN Research Institute, Warwick. This study builds on earlier work exploring patient and staff experiences of working and living on a trauma unit. Previous research has been undertaken with older people concerning the concepts of comfort and participation in care and future work is planned examining hope and dignity.