A Concept Analysis of the Patient Experience in Acute Care

Abstract

Background: Patient experience has become an essential quality indicator in healthcare. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis was to conduct a concept analysis of the patient experience. Methods: Walker and Avant’s methodology served as the framework for this concept analysis. Data were retrieved from seven databases and one search engine. The literature search used keywords related to "patient experience" and included articles published at any time up until March 2018. A total of 257 articles and organizational websites were included in the analysis after meeting the inclusion criteria. Results: Twenty attributes were found to define the patient experience: communication, respect for patients, information/education, patient-centered care, comfort/pain, discharge from hospital, hospital environment, professionalism/trust, clinical care/staff competency, access to care, global ratings, medication, transitions/continuity, emotional dimension, outcomes, hospital processes, safety/security, interdisciplinary team, social dimension, and patient dependent features. Conclusion: The results of this study will guide and clarify the critical concepts towards an explicit definition of the patient experience.