EXPLORING THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE AT THE CORONARY CARE UNIT OF AN ACUTE HEALTHCARE HOSPITAL IN SINGAPORE.

Abstract

Aim: Exploring the Patient Experience at the Coronary Care Unit of an acute healthcare hospital in Singapore. Background: Patient Experience is an essential factor that contributes to the health outcomes of a patient. Through the Nightingale Environment Theory and Peplau’s Theory of Interpersonal Relations, Patient Experience is found to be closely related to the ward environment and interpersonal relationships. Hence, Patient Experience of staying in the ward and communicating with Healthcare Professionals should be studied to promote positive health outcomes in patients. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Fourteen participants were recruited through purposive sampling at the Coronary Care Unit of an acute hospital in Singapore. Individual, face-to-face interviews were performed using a voice recorder until data saturation. Audio-recordings were transcribed as verbatims and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Five themes were identified: (1) Staying in an isolated room; (2) Interaction with healthcare professionals; (3) Obtaining information; (4) Management of self-care and (5) Key points for enhancing the patient experience. The themes contained a total of 18 subthemes which were supported with participant quotes. Conclusion: This study has studied the effects of Patient Experience on the communication with Healthcare Professionals and management of their own disease. Improvements in the environment and hospital policies were then suggested by participants to meet their needs better. Implication: This study has contributed to the limited pool of existing literature on Patient Experience of the cardiac population in Asia. The findings of this study also serve as a reminder for Healthcare Professionals to review their communication methods with patients and existing hospital policies. Future research could include studies in a broader range of wards, disciplines, demographic groups, language and gender. Studies on the outpatients’ experiences could also be explored.