The aim of this questionnaire-based study was to investigate the self-perceived needs of geriatric surgical inpatients and the factors affecting their decisions. Moreover, their perception of the degree of understanding such needs by the nursing staff was also evaluated. One hundred and twenty-one inpatients in the surgical wards aged over 65 were chosen for this study. Statistical analysis was achieved by SPSS/PC software. The results of this study showed that: 1. The average score of self-perceived needs was 3.46 (SD=0.63) that fell between ”needed” and ”moderately needed”. Regarding the 6 specific items reflecting their needs: (ⅰ) Knowledge of disease progress and treatment outcome; (ⅱ) Understanding of disease prognosis and treatment plan; (ⅲ) Physician visits; (ⅳ) Quiet hospital atmosphere; (ⅴ) A safe environment; and (ⅵ) Cleaniness of toilets and cleaning facilities, the average score was between 4.02-4.24 located between ”needed” and ”desperately needed”. 2. Their perception of the degree of understanding of their needs by the nursing staff was 3.30 (SD=0.77), between ”understood” and ”moderately understood”. 3. The factors that affected their self-perceived needs included (ⅰ) Health insurance, (ⅱ) Marital status, (ⅲ) Age, (ⅳ) The difference of major care providers; and (ⅴ) Current occupation. 4. The factors influencing the perception of geriatric patients toward the understanding of their needs by the nursing staff included the presence of a chief care provider and co-existing diseases. 5. The psychological part of self-perception in geriatric patients was directly to their perception of understanding their physiological、psychological、socioeconomical、environmental and medical needs by the nursing staffs. The environmental part of self-perception in geriatric patients was positively correlated to the understanding by the nursing staffs. The results of this study could serve as a useful reference in the care of geriatric inpatients by nursing staffs to provide a better quality geriatric patient care.
The aim of this questionnaire-based study was to investigate the self-perceived needs of geriatric surgical inpatients and the factors affecting their decisions. Moreover, their perception of the degree of understanding such needs by the nursing staff was also evaluated. One hundred and twenty-one inpatients in the surgical wards aged over 65 were chosen for this study. Statistical analysis was achieved by SPSS/PC software. The results of this study showed that: 1. The average score of self-perceived needs was 3.46 (SD=0.63) that fell between ”needed” and ”moderately needed”. Regarding the 6 specific items reflecting their needs: (ⅰ) Knowledge of disease progress and treatment outcome; (ⅱ) Understanding of disease prognosis and treatment plan; (ⅲ) Physician visits; (ⅳ) Quiet hospital atmosphere; (ⅴ) A safe environment; and (ⅵ) Cleaniness of toilets and cleaning facilities, the average score was between 4.02-4.24 located between ”needed” and ”desperately needed”. 2. Their perception of the degree of understanding of their needs by the nursing staff was 3.30 (SD=0.77), between ”understood” and ”moderately understood”. 3. The factors that affected their self-perceived needs included (ⅰ) Health insurance, (ⅱ) Marital status, (ⅲ) Age, (ⅳ) The difference of major care providers; and (ⅴ) Current occupation. 4. The factors influencing the perception of geriatric patients toward the understanding of their needs by the nursing staff included the presence of a chief care provider and co-existing diseases. 5. The psychological part of self-perception in geriatric patients was directly to their perception of understanding their physiological、psychological、socioeconomical、environmental and medical needs by the nursing staffs. The environmental part of self-perception in geriatric patients was positively correlated to the understanding by the nursing staffs. The results of this study could serve as a useful reference in the care of geriatric inpatients by nursing staffs to provide a better quality geriatric patient care.