Family Participation in the Care of Hospitalized Elderly Patients: A Scoping Review.

Abstract

Background: Family participation in care is crucial for hospitalized elderly patients. This study aims to identify the definitions, prerequisites, and consequences of family participation in the care of hospitalized elderly patients.

Materials and methods: The Arksey and O'Malley scoping review framework was utilized. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases were searched from their inception until 2022 to address the following questions: What are the prerequisites, facilitators, barriers, and consequences of family member involvement in the care of hospitalized elderly patients?

Results: Out of 1804 search results, 19 articles were included: 7 (37%) descriptive designs, 2 (10.50%) mixed-method designs, 8 (42%) qualitative designs, and 2 (10.50%) review articles. The included studies were conducted in USA (n = 3), Saudi Arabia (n = 1), Finland (n = 6), the Netherlands (n = 1), France (n = 1), Australia (n = 3), Norway (n = 1), Iran (n = 2), and Brazil (n = 1). The analysis identified three key components of family involvement: (i) characteristics, (ii) antecedents (categorized into facilitators and inhibitors), and (iii) consequences (categorized into patient, family, and system consequences).

Conclusions: The study indicates that various factors facilitate and hinder family participation in the care of hospitalized elderly patients. When implemented correctly, family involvement can yield positive outcomes for patients, families, and healthcare systems. This knowledge can enhance healthcare providers' understanding and encourage the implementation of family participation. Furthermore, this study provides a foundation for future research to develop interventions based on the multiple dimensions described.