A Study on the Inpatients‘ Perception of Comfort

입원환자가 지각하는 안위에 관한 연구

This paper describes a Q-methodological study on the Perception of comfort in hospital in-patients. The participants completed a 37-item Q sort made up of statements which could be ranked in terms of their relevance to the subjective meaning of comfort. Three interpretable types of comfort were identified through this Q study : Type I, positive medical action style, feel secure and satisfied when medical staff show a positive attitude towards them as patients. They put a high value on prompt responses from medical staff and physical aspects of care like non-invasive procedures or comfortable position. Type II, social relation style, experience a state of comfort when they perceive support or concern from medical staff, relatives or other patients suffering from similar diseases. They feel safe and secure when medical staff are kind and have a good reputation or when the size of the hospital is big enough, Type III, emotional wellbeing style, feel that hope for a healthy life or maintaining self-care activities are highly valuable. They feel safe and comfortable when their privacy is protected. They put worth on independent thinking, strong will, and emotional or psychological comfort. The results of this study can be used as a basis to develop nursing measures for comfort. Further studies on factors which influence perception of comfort and intervention strategies according to the above types of comfort need to be done.