The Experiences of Health Care Team and Elderly In-Patients about Concept of “Elderly Patients’ Education” in a Hospital Affiliated to Isfahan Unifersity of Medical Sciences

Introduction: As world population gets older, caring for the elderly becomes one of the most important and challenging duties of health care system. This study was done to describe the educational needs of the elderly hospitalized in acute care settings, based on health care team and patient’s actual experiences. Methods: Using phenomenological approach, participants were selected from a teaching hospital in Isfahan. A purposive sample of 8 nurses, 4 elderly patients and 2 physicians were interviewed in depth. Colaizzi’s analysis method guided the essential activities of the researchers. Results: Following analysis of transcribed interviews, emerging themes were categorized in major concepts and related subconcepts including: interaction with instruments and interventions, hospital self-awareness, mobility and activity, risks management, treatment discipline, accessible care and treatment. Conclusion: The concept of “education” in hospitalized elderly is a vast concept. Provision of adequate and timely information for the hospitalized elderly about expected outcomes and behaviors, physical condition and ways to get help in challenging situations can promote their cooperation in health care procedures. Through educating nurses and medical staff, the goals of “providing comprehensive elderly health care” and “improving nursing care quality” could be achieved.