An increasing number of people are growing older and living longer in their homes. This study aims to describe key stakeholders’ (politicians, managers, and professionals) perceptions of a good life for single-living oldest old persons living at home with extensive needs for support. Inter­views with stakeholders were analysed with content analysis. The analy­sis resulted in the theme: An incongruence between intentions and actions in promoting a good life for the oldest old. Our findings show a gap between intentions and actions, which caused feelings of powerlessness in the key stakeholders. To promote a good life for the oldest old persons, a congruence is needed between individual awareness and the prerequisite of promoting a good life. Developing methods that identify and bridge gaps between intentions and actions could support the abilities of organ­isations to promote a good life for the oldest old persons with extensive needs for support.

In order to describe how women with osteoporosis strive to maintain daily life we interviewed11 women using a reflective lifeworld approach based on phenomenological analysis.Osteoporosis is a major public health concern in the Western world, and is predominantamong women. Our findings indicated that meanings of striving to maintain daily life implya belief in oneself and one’s own capabilities. The women expressly speak out for themselvesas a way of finding reconciliation without giving in to the illness. Women with osteoporosisexpect to gain support early in the course of their illness. They require advice on how tomanage the disease as well as support for striving to maintain daily living. Therefore, it iscrucial that the women not only are given information about the disease. Equally important isto establish continuity in healthcare encounters, and that health care offers support foundedin the women’s lived experiences with focus on their capacities.

Objectives

In an effort to strengthen health care professionals’ ability to anticipate and address multiple trauma patients’ needs, this study aims to explore the experience of suffering from multiple trauma.

Design

This is a qualitative descriptive study. Nine interviews were analysed using content analysis.

Setting

The study included patients who had been registered in the Swedish Intensive Care registry [SIR] due to suffering multiple trauma.

Findings

The analysis revealed one theme, A detour in life, based on three sub-themes: (a) Feeling lost and not knowing what to expect, (b) Striving to get life back on track and (c) Dealing with ‘dead ends’ during rehabilitation. The theme showed that those who suffered multiple trauma did not know what to expect of their recovery and they expressed experiencing a lack of understanding and guidance from healthcare professionals. As it was important to focus on the present and find ways to move on in life, they sought for other ways to find direction in matters of rehabilitation and care.

Conclusions

A shared understanding is essential in order to define a person’s needs. By setting short-term goals and improving documentation, healthcare professionals across the trauma recovery continuum could more easily gain insight of their patients’ needs and address them with supportive guidance.

Introduction

When emergency medical services (EMS) are needed, the choice of transport depends on several factors. These may include the patient’s medical condition, transport accessibility to the accident site and the receiving hospital’s resources. Emergency care research is advancing, but little is known about the patient’s perspective of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS).

Aim

The aim of this study was to describe trauma patients’ experiences of HEMS.

Method

Thirteen persons (ages 21–76) were interviewed using an interview guide. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Findings

The analysis resulted in three themes: Being distraught and dazed by the event – patients experienced shock and tension, as well as feelings of curiosity and excitement. Being comforted by the caregivers – as the caregivers were present and attentive, they had no need for relatives in the helicopter. Being safe in a restricted environment – the participants’ injuries were taken seriously and the caregivers displayed effective teamwork.

Conclusion

For trauma patients to be taken seriously and treated as ‘worst cases’ enables them to trust their caregivers and ‘hand themselves over’ to their care. HEMS provide additional advantageous circumstances, such as being the sole patient and having proximity to a small, professional team.

SummarySettings and objectivesA midsize hospital in the north of Sweden with a high-tech intensive care unit and space for up to 10 patients, with an attached postoperative ward for up to 15 patients. The wards are manned by critical care nurses who are also responsible for carrying a trauma pager. When the alarm goes off, the critical care nurse leaves her/his duties and joins a trauma team. The aim of the study was to describe critical care nurse's experiences of nursing patients suffering from trauma.MethodA qualitative descriptive design was used. Data were collected through four focus group discussions with 15 critical care nurses analysed using qualitative content analysis.FindingsOne theme: Preparing for the unexpected with four subthemes: (1) Feeling competent, but sometimes inadequate; (2) Feeling unsatisfied with the care environment; (3) Feeling satisfied with well-functioning communication; and (4) Feeling a need to reflect when affected.ConclusionsNursing trauma patients require critical care nurses to be prepared for the unexpected. Two aspects of trauma care must be improved in order to fully address the challenges it poses: First, formal preparation and adequate resources must be invested to ensure delivery of quality trauma care. Secondly, follow-ups are needed to evaluate care measures and to give members of the trauma team the opportunity to address feelings of distress or concern.

The aim of this study was to elucidate meanings of balance in everyday life for people with long-term illnesses living at home. People living with long-term illnesses are in need of help and support to manage their daily lives. Twelve adults with extensive needs for help and support were interviewed. A phenomenological hermeneutic interpretation was used to analyse the interview texts. The findings show that balance in everyday life for people with long-term illnesses means striving for independence through care and support in their surroundings. It was also important to be able to choose how their lives would be and to be with others who listened and understood them for who they are. By building a relationship with patients at an early stage of their illnesses, nursing staff have an opportunity to understand what people who are living at home with long-term illnesses need in order to achieve balance in their everyday lives.