Experience of Operating Room Health Care Providers in the Management of Patients With Dementia

Abstract

The management of hospitalized patients with dementia is more complicated compared to patients without dementia, specifically in the surgery ward. The aim of the current study was to explore the experiences of operating room health care providers in the management of patients with dementia. A descriptive qualitative study was designed. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with surgical professionals. Content analysis was performed. Four main themes emerged: Communication Issues, Experience-Based Protocol, Emotions, and Perceived Needs. Health care providers in a surgical ward face numerous challenges when attending to patients with dementia and tend to use strategies based on their own experience due to lack of specific action protocols. Therefore, specific training of the surgical team and protocols are needed to ensure quality care.