Participation of family members and quality of patient care – the perspective of adult surgical patients

Aims and objectives The aim of this study is to describe the participation of family members in the care of Finnish adult surgical patients and the connection of the participation with the quality of patient care as perceived by surgical patients. Background The family members of adult surgical patients are important. Earlier studies vary concerning the nature of participation, its meaning and the connection of participation with patient‐centred quality of care. In this study, we aim to produce new knowledge about adult surgical patients whose family members have participated in their care. Design This was a cross‐sectional descriptive survey study. Methods The data were collected among adult surgical patients (N = 481) before being discharged home from hospital with two instruments: the Good Nursing Care scale and the Received Knowledge of Hospital Patients. Results Based on the results, most adult surgical patients report that family members participate in their care. Participation was connected with received knowledge and preconditions of care, which are components of the quality of patient care. Conclusions In future, testing of different solutions for improving the participation of surgical patients’ family members in patient care should be implemented. Furthermore, the preconditions of family members’ participation in care and the concept of participation should be analysed to emphasise the active role of family members. Relevance to clinical practice The results emphasised the importance of family members for the patients in surgical care. Family members’ participation is connected with the quality of patient care.