The companion of the hospitalized adult patient

Abstract

The aim of this investigation is to unveil the adult patients companions at a hospital. This descriptive and exploratory study analises with quality metodology the contents of 42 patients companions interviews. A statistical analysis of demografic data and interviews contents was made, resulting in the following categories: patients companionship importance within the hospital, their perceptions about the staff, the quality of the relation between the companions and the patients, the quality of the information received by the patients companions, and difficulties founded by them. The results show that patients companions are women, age over 40 years, relatives, and they live with the patient. It was proved that they accompany the patient to help him/her and to offer emotional support. However, most of the patients companions don’t receive information from the staff about how to take care of the patient. So, they use their intuiton and good sense for the patient care.