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Cited by 157Dementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchGeriatric Care and Nursing HomesNursing education and management

The experience of people with dementia and nurses in hospital: an integrative review

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Digby, Robin, Lee, Susan, Williams, Allison·2017·Journal of Clinical Nursing
DOI 10.1111/jocn.13429
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Abstract

Aims and objectives: To identify and examine existing research exploring how people with dementia and nurses view acute hospital care. Background: Admission to hospital can be traumatic for a person with dementia due to an inability to cope with unfamiliar environments, faces and routines. Adverse behavioural and health outcomes can result. Dementia adds complexity to patient care. Inability to deliver appropriate care is a source of stress and frustration for nurses. Methods: Integrative review of the literature 2005–2015 reporting the experience of people with dementia and nurses caring for them in an acute hospital setting (n = 24). Results: Hospitals focus on acute medical care; consequently people with dementia are considered low priority and a disruption to normal routine. Risk management often takes priority over patient dignity. People with dementia are stigmatised. Families have significant roles to play in the care of a person with dementia in hospital but are often excluded. Nurses struggle to complete even basic patient care, and focus on tasks often at the expense of specific patient needs. Support for nurses is lacking. The job satisfaction of nurses caring for people with dementia is poor. Conclusions: Nurses require improved education and support to care for patients with dementia. Hospitals must focus on genuine caring concurrently with rapid discharge requirements, risk mitigation and fiscal restraint. More research is needed to inform the development of appropriate care for people with dementia in hospitals. Relevance to clinical practice: Nurses must understand the complex needs of people with dementia in hospital. Nurse education about dementia, practical support, strong clinical leadership and role‐modelling is needed. Empathy for patients regardless of diagnosis must remain a core attribute of nurses. Current hospital culture requires wider system review to mitigate against stigmatisation of patients with dementia.

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Crossref · 10.1111/jocn.13429

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  • Studies have reported that care of people living with dementia in hospital is often task orientated, delivered with little social engagement, sometimes with a lack of compassion and inappropriate responses to agitated behaviours such as the use of security services.

    “This is not unusual, studies have reported that care of people living with dementia in hospital is often task orientated, delivered with little social engagement, sometimes with a lack of compassion and inappropriate responses to agitated behaviours such as the use of security services [43].”

    From Stakeholder perspectives of care for people living with dementia moving from hospital to care facilities in the community: a systematic review (2019) · cites this paper as [43]

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Authors
Digby, R., Lee, S., & Williams, A.
Affiliations
Monash University (AU)
Corresponding author
  • Digby, Robin
  • Lee, Susan
  • Williams, Allison
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Clinical Nursing
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2017-02-22
Volume
26
Issue
9-10
Pages
1152-1171
ISSN
  • 0962-1067 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2702
DOI
10.1111/jocn.13429
OpenAlex
W2427428214
Cited by
157
References
55
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 3
FWCI
1.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Clinical Nursing (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Monash University Maxwell King PhD Scholarship
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Research and Theory › Nursing education and management
Keywords
dementia, acute hospital care, nurses' experiences, patient experience, stigma, family involvement in care, nursing satisfaction, nursing support, dementia education, hospital culture, risk management, patient dignity
MeSH terms
Attitude of Health Personnel, Clinical Competence, Dementia, Hospitalization, Humans, Job Satisfaction, Nurse-Patient Relations, Nurses, Nursing Staff, Hospital, Safety Management, Nurse's Role

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