Conceptualizations of function-focused care used by practitioners in Korean nursing homes

Abstract

This qualitative study aims to explore practitioners' (nurses, physiotherapists, social workers, and occupational therapists) conceptualizations of function-focused care for nursing home residents. Between September 2017 and February 2018, we collected data from 18 participants in five nursing homes using semi-structured interviews. We then performed phenomenographic data and content analyses. Five categories were identified in the assessment domain: "functional limitation associated with physical condition," "functional limitation associated with cognitive condition," "change from baseline function," "ability to cooperate with caregivers to improve function," and "motivation to improve function." Five categories were identified in the intervention domain: "minimizing damage," "strengthening physical resources," "repetitive musculoskeletal strengthening," "stimulating motivation for self-care," and "planning enhancement of function through emotional stability." Our findings may contribute to improving understanding of actual practice and provide an important starting point for developing knowledge about how function-focused care is performed in nursing homes.