Nursing home care quality: a cluster analysis
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
ISSN: 0952-6862
Article publication date: 13 February 2017
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore potential differences in how nursing home residents rate care quality and to explore cluster characteristics.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional design was used, with one questionnaire including questions from quality from patients’ perspective and Big Five personality traits, together with questions related to socio-demographic aspects and health condition. Residents (n=103) from four Norwegian nursing homes participated (74.1 per cent response rate). Hierarchical cluster analysis identified clusters with respect to care quality perceptions. χ2 tests and one-way between-groups ANOVA were performed to characterise the clusters (p<0.05).
Findings
Two clusters were identified; Cluster 1 residents (28.2 per cent) had the best care quality perceptions and Cluster 2 (67.0 per cent) had the worst perceptions. The clusters were statistically significant and characterised by personal-related conditions: gender, psychological well-being, preferences, admission, satisfaction with staying in the nursing home, emotional stability and agreeableness, and by external objective care conditions: healthcare personnel and registered nurses.
Research limitations/implications
Residents assessed as having no cognitive impairments were included, thus excluding the largest group. By choosing questionnaire design and structured interviews, the number able to participate may increase.
Practical implications
Findings may provide healthcare personnel and managers with increased knowledge on which to develop strategies to improve specific care quality perceptions.
Originality/value
Cluster analysis can be an effective tool for differentiating between nursing homes residents’ care quality perceptions.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the elderly care home residents who participated in this study.
Citation
Grøndahl, V.A. and Fagerli, L.B. (2017), "Nursing home care quality: a cluster analysis", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 30 No. 1, pp. 25-36. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-12-2015-0145
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited