The quality of geriatric rehabilitation from the patients' perspective: a scoping review

Abstract

Background: the efficacy and outcomes of geriatric rehabilitation (GR) have previously been investigated. However, a systematic synthesis of the aspects that are important to patients regarding the quality of GR does not exist.

Objective: the aim of this scoping review was to systematically synthesise the patients' perspective on the quality of GR.

Methods: we followed the Scoping Review framework and gathered literature including a qualitative study design from multiple databases. The inclusion criteria were: a qualitative study design; a geriatric population; that patients had participated in a geriatric rehabilitation programme and that geriatric rehabilitation was assessed by the patient. The results sections of the included studies were analysed using a thematic analysis approach.

Results: twenty articles were included in this review. The main themes identified were: (i) the need for information about the rehabilitation process, (ii) the need for telling one's story, (iii) the need for support (physical, psychological, social and how to cope with limitations), (iv) the need for shared decision-making and autonomy, (v) the need for a stimulating rehabilitation environment and (vi) the need for rehabilitation at home.

Conclusion: in this study, we identified the aspects that determine the quality of rehabilitation from the patient's perspective, which may lead to a more holistic perspective on the quality of GR.

Keywords: geriatric rehabilitation; older people; patient perspective; qualitative research; quality; scoping review.