The choreographies of the elimination of faeces—An ethnographic study of the institutionalized body care practices of older people in different health care settings
Authors: Rosendal Kirstine Aakerlund 
Published: September 2023

Aim

To explore the choreographies of the elimination of faeces of older people to gain insight into the institutionalized practices of body care of older people in hospitals and long‐term care settings.

Design

A qualitative ethnographic study, drawing on a perspective of socio‐material theory. Reported in accordance with the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research.

Methods

A total of, 30 women and 11 men aged 80 years and above needing assistance with body care in a hospital ward, 2 nursing homes and home care and 32 care workers participated. Four individual interviews with older people and three focus group interviews with care workers were conducted, in addition to 135 h of participant observations, from December 2020 to September 2021. Data were analysed using a situational analysis approach.

Results

The assistance with the elimination of faeces is a multiplicity of ongoing dynamic practices where different actors interrelate. Dominating actors are time, space, materialities, different ideals and professional knowledge. The choreographies aim at order the elimination of faeces to happen at the right time at the right place, to provide dignified care.

Conclusion

To assist older people with the elimination of faeces is complex institutionalized practices. The study argues for a greater focus on the ongoing relations between human and non‐human actors to provide new understandings of an underexplored phenomenon in nursing.

Impact

What problem did the study address? The elimination of faeces of older people as part of body care is an underexplored phenomenon in nursing, often subject to stigma and taboo, and delegated to other healthcare workers than registered nurses. Internationally, there are challenges in the delivery of fundamentals of nursing care to older people across healthcare settings. Few studies have explored body care as an institutionalized practice across different settings, taking into consideration the contextual aspects of care as well as the involvement of non‐human actors in the care practices. What were the main findings? Multiple human and non‐human actors are involved when older people need assistance with the elimination of faeces. Time, space, materialities, different ideals and professional knowledge are important actors. The elimination of faeces is not a homogeneous practice but ongoing, dynamic, and multiple practices. The context of care practices related to the elimination of faeces is not an outer macro level distant from care, but part of the ongoing daily practices of body care. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? The findings can inspire researchers and clinicians to develop a new understanding of fundamental care needs. The study offers a critical perspective on possibilities for providing care, since political ideals and governance are active actors in daily care practices.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution. The study was conducted during the COVID‐19 pandemic; restrictions limited the access to involving patients and care workers in the research process. An advisory board consisting of leaders from the different settings was a part of the design process and in the interpretation of data.

Recommendations for Further Research

The socio material theoretical perspective has a potential to unfold the complexities in nursing care practices focusing on aspects that are underexplored in nursing research.