SHBC1067

J.TAN¹, C.Y. CHEONG¹, F.H.E. TAY², J.CHOO³, P. L.K.YAP¹

Khoo Teck Puat Hospital¹, National University Hospital², Ren Ci Community Hospital³

Person-centered care (PCC) is synonymous with best practice in the care of persons with dementia (PWD). However, the research focus has been in long-term care settings with less attention in acute hospitals. We aim to study the perspectives and experiences of nurses implementing PCC in an acute hospital dementia unit (Care for Acute Mentally Infirm Elders [CAMIE]).

This was an exploratory qualitative study involving individual, face-to-face, semi-structured in-depth interviews. A purposive sample of ten nurses participated in the interview. We employed an inductive thematic analysis approach to analyse the qualitative data.

The findings highlighted the positive experiences e.g.meaningful connection with patients and the challenges e.g. managing challenging behaviour in providing PCC. The initial challenges were due to lack of prior knowledge and experience. Through formal and informal learning, the nurses built confidence and competence, and also provided support to one other. They emphasised the importance of teamwork and camaraderie in the CAMIE team but raised concerns about the negative perceptions of non-CAMIE nurses on the value of their work.

Despite the challenges, adequate knowledge and robust organisational level support are the key support for nurses to embrace PCC as their care ethos in the acute care setting.