The effects of client control during hospitalization

• Main Author: Garrett, Darlene K.
• Other Authors: Ryan, Marilyn E.
• Format: Others
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Hospital patients > Psychology.; Control (Psychology)
• Online Access: http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/handle/handle/183797; http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/546130

The purpose of this study was to identify events that give a sense of control (decisional, behavioral, and cognitive) to clients during hospitalization, and to identify commonalities among patients related to the importance attached to selected hospitalization events and a sense of control. Bandura's social learning theory provided the conceptual framework for the study.A non probability convenience sampling of 45 adult patients hospitalized for the treatment of genitourinary, gastrointestinal, thyroid disease, or cancer of any origin, completed the instruments which measure client control: The Client Control Q Set (CCQS;) and, The Health Opinion Survey (HOS.) A semi-structured interview validated the CCQS and a background data form provided demographic information. Q factor analysis was used to identify factors of client control. The emerging factors were analyzed in relationship to the results of the HOS and patient demographic information. Subjects' human rights were protected.This study was a modified replication of Dennis' (1985) investigation to determine if a sense of control was important to hospitalized patients. The investigation supported Dennis' (1985) findings that cognitive control over diagnostic tests, surgery, treatment and illness care was important to hospitalized patients. Another important dimension of control was identified through behavioral means involving the environment. Health Opinion Survey scores identified a need to be actively involved in the health care process by patients who also desired cognitive control over diagnosis, surgery, and tests. Also, commonalities of occupation, sex, age, and diagnosis emerged among patients who identified a need for cognitive control. Likenesses emerged in nonprofessional females between the age of 21-40 receiving treatment for gastrointestinal disease.The study supported the assumption that patients do desire a senseof control during hospitalization and also supported the need to recognize other patients may not desire a sense of control. It is important to recognize the difference and respond appropriately to individual patients. The study revealed the need for nurses to facilitate a flow of information to patients regarding diagnosis, surgery and impending tests. === School of Nursing