Exploring patients’ perspectives on supporting self-management in a patient academy for nursing skills: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVES: To explore the needs and perspectives of patients and informal caregivers on a patient academy designed to support self-management through nursing-skill education. METHODS: An exploratory, qualitative study with semi-structured interviews was conducted with 15 patients and 10 informal caregivers in a teaching hospital in the Netherlands. The interviews focused on experiences of performing nursing skills at home, perspectives on a patient academy for nursing skills and perspectives on patient education and self-management. Data analysis followed the steps of thematic analyses by Braun & Clark, to identify patterns within the interviews. RESULTS: Two themes emerged. The first theme, patients independence versus healthcare shortage, reflected varying attitudes towards a patient academy for nursing skills. The second theme addressed the needs of patients and informal caregivers for supporting self-management in a patient academy. The two subthemes within the latter one were: patient-centred care as a prerequisite and the supporting roles of healthcare professionals. CONCLUSIONS: In general, patients and informal caregivers were positive about self-management support within a patient academy for nursing skills, although their perspectives may vary. Patient-centred care and the supporting roles of healthcare professionals are crucial for successful implementation. This indicates that such an academy can be a promising intervention to support self-management in the home setting. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: To support self-management, patient academies need to personalize learning to patients' abilities, experiences and environments, while ensuring that healthcare professionals can fulfil diverse supportive roles. Training staff to act as experts, educators, communicators and coaches is essential for successful implementation.