Abstract
The number of elderly hospitalized patients is increasing dramatically. Yet, the hospitalization experience of the elderly is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to explore the hospitalization process as perceived by elderly patients, family members, and nurses caring for these patients. The design of the study was grounded theory. Data were generated and theory derived from the environmental context of the data. Ethnographic interviews were conducted with eight white, middle-class elderly patients (aged 66 to 83 years), seven family members, ten nurses, and a patient representative in an acute care setting. Other methods of data collection included participant observation and review of medical records. Data analysis included the constant comparative method of systematically collecting and analyzing data until categories were saturated and a core variable emerged. Substantive theory was developed from the analyses. Enduring The Experience described the theory that elderly patients engage in a process that allowed them to "bear it" until they could be dismissed from the hospital.
Sigma Membership
Epsilon Gamma at-Large
Type
Dissertation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Grounded Theory
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Elderly Patients, Nursing the Elderly, Hospitalization Experience
Advisor
Marilyn L. Stember
Degree
PhD
Degree Grantor
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Degree Year
1990
Recommended Citation
Huckstadt, Alicia A., "Enduring: The experience of hospitalized elderly patients" (2019). Dissertations. 899.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/dissertations/899
Rights Holder
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All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.
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Review Type
None: Degree-based Submission
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2019-04-01
Full Text of Presentation
wf_yes
Description
This dissertation has also been disseminated through the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Dissertation/thesis number: 9029761; ProQuest document ID: 303926276. The author still retains copyright.