Exploring Nurses' Perceptions of Nursing Home Care in South Korea: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe nurses' perceptions of nursing services provided to nursing home residents, facilitators and challenges of providing care for these residents, and the need to improve the quality of care in the nursing home setting. Methods Data were collected through semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews with 19 nurses from six nursing homes in South Korea from February to June 2015. A thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results Five themes emerged: resident- and family-centered care as quality care, the importance of registered nurses in providing quality care, the importance of collaborating with care workers and resident's families, needs for nursing-home facility-level support for quality care, and needs for national policy for quality care. Conclusion To improve the quality of care in nursing homes requires organizational and policy endeavors to increase the number of nurses per shift, provide systematic education for care workers, and develop strategies for collaboration with care workers and families. Nursing-home facility-level support and national policy are also required to meet the complex healthcare needs of nursing home residents with multiple chronic conditions.