Assessing the role of formal and informal caregivers in the current tertiary healthcare system:  Factors influencing care roles and satisfaction with care.
Published: 2005
Language: eng
Number of pages: 341
Description: The restructuring of the tertiary healthcare system in the last 15 years has meant a reduced length of client stay, higher client acuity and fewer formal caregivers to care for the client. Much research has been conducted looking at informal caregivers caring for the elderly in the community, however, little investigation has occurred looking at the contribution they are making in the tertiary healthcare system.The results showed there was increased satisfaction related to client age, the major clinical category of female pregnancy and informal caregivers that were parents of the client. Most importantly, this study also showed that formal caregivers with higher education preparation participated in independent client care for which they were held responsible and accountable. The results of this study led to a number of recommendations associated with research, practice, theory development and policy.A descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational design was used in order to assess the role of formal and informal caregiver in the current tertiary healthcare environment, using questionnaires and observational methods. Specifically, this study looked at what care role(s) informal caregiver(s) were assuming and how satisfied the client(s) and formal and informal caregiver(s) were with these roles. The study took place in a 350 bed, tertiary, teaching hospital and included 265 client/informal caregiver groupings and 313 formal caregivers.
Notes: Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Toronto, 2005.

Electronic version licensed for access by U. of T. users.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 66-06, Section: B, page: 3056.