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Age and Ageing 2001; 30: 399-402
© 2001, British Geriatrics Society

Research papers

Caring for the older person: an exploration of perceptions using personal construct theory

Sarah A. Cooper and Peter G. Coleman

University of Southampton, Geriatric Medicine, Level E, Centre Block, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK

Abstract

Background: there is a reluctance among nurses to enter elderly care.

Objective: to discover nurses' perceptions of the elderly patients in their care.

Method: after a period of participant observation, we selected 26 nurses from among those working in two elderly-care rehabilitation hospitals. Interpersonal perceptions were investigated using personal construct theory. We elicited personal constructs, produced repertory grids and rated patients according to popularity.

Results and conclusions: the most common way of perceiving patients was in terms of mental or physical dependence. Health-care assistants were more likely than staff nurses to perceive patients in terms of their personality. Nurses tended to have simplified ways of perceiving their patients. Popular patients were always mentally intact.

Keywords: nursing practice, perception of old people


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