Table 2 Summary of themes and illustrative quotes
Themes | Illustrative quotes |
|---|---|
Theme 1: Medical events leading to feelings of crisis | |
1.1 Decision to seek medical care | My brother called me unexpectedly to come over and I saw that things were not going well with my mother. We had to go to the ED because there was nothing we could do about her lung condition and the ED was our only option. (Informal caregiver of participant 5; female, 70) |
1.2 Motivators to visit the ED | I called the gastroenterologist who said, “You have to go to the ED as that is the fastest and the best solution.” And so I went. (Participant 6; male, 70) |
Theme 2: Patients’ untreated health problems | |
2.1 Discharge from the ED | “The doctor will be with you shortly.” Well, minutes turned into hours and finally the doctor appeared. “Now I saw the X-rays and your collar bone is broken, so you may go home now.” I got a sling and that is it. (Participant 11; male, 79) |
However, maybe you should put it on paper. We had a whole conversation with the doctor and the doctor said, “You must do this, you must do that.” Then there was so much information that came at me. And some things I just forgot. That is … and if it was on paper, I could refer to what was said. What were the action points that needed to happen? (Informal caregiver of participant 5; female, 70) | |
2.2 Follow-up and continuity of care | We are disappointed. We did not realize that we were responsible for organizing the follow-up appointment with the outpatient clinic. We thought the ED would do that. (Participant 3; female, 73) |
Theme 3: Persisting problems in health and daily functioning post discharge | |
3.1 Physical and mental symptoms | It is a bit weird and crazy, but I do not dare to go outside! I am too afraid, but I do not understand why. I panic at the thought of it. However, if I went upstairs, then I did not remember anymore why I was going there. It was probably my own insecurity, I was confused, and I just did not remember things well. That was really disturbing and worrying. (Participant 12; female, 82) |
3.2 Effects on daily life | I cannot do anything. No, I can walk a bit. I sit a lot. Vacuuming, cleaning, that sort of things, I cannot do that. Yes of course, I am not happy about it. I do not see any progression in my recovery and I expected that. Because, until now … so far things are not so positive. (Participant 6; male, 70) |