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Understanding how the Support Needs Approach for Patients (SNAP) enables identification, expression and discussion of patient support needs: A qualitative study.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Ewing, Gail 
Deaton, Christi 
Farquhar, Morag 

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To identify whether and how the support needs approach for patients enables patients with chronic progressive conditions to identify, express and discuss their unmet support needs. METHODS: Thirteen healthcare professionals trained in the Support Needs Approach for Patients (SNAP), recruited from three pilot sites in the East of England (across primary, community and secondary care) delivered SNAP to 56 patients with the exemplar condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease over a 4-month period. Healthcare professionals participated in a mid-pilot semi-structured interview (pilot site representatives) and end-of pilot focus group (all healthcare professionals). Twenty patients who received SNAP were interviewed about their experiences (topic-guided). Transcripts analysed using a framework approach. RESULTS: There were differences in how healthcare professionals delivered SNAP and how patients engaged with it; analysing the interaction of these identified a continuum of care (from person-centred to healthcare professional-led) which impacted patient identification and expression of need and resulting responses. When delivered as intended, SNAP operationalised person-centred care enabling patient-led identification, expression and discussion of support needs. DISCUSSION: SNAP addresses the rhetoric within policy, good practice guidance and the person-centred care literature espousing the need to involve patients in identifying their needs and preferences by providing healthcare professionals with a mechanism for achieving holistic person-centred care in everyday practice.

Description

Peer reviewed: True

Keywords

Person-centred care, clinical intervention, long-term conditions, support need, Humans, Qualitative Research, Palliative Care, Health Personnel, Focus Groups, Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive, Chronic Disease, Patient-Centered Care

Journal Title

Chronic Illn

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1742-3953
1745-9206

Volume Title

18

Publisher

SAGE Publications
Sponsorship
Marie Curie Research Grants Scheme. (MCRGS-07-16-10)
Marie Curie Research Grant Scheme ( grant number MCRGs-07-16-10)