Older medical patients’ experiences with mobility during hospitalization and the WALK-Copenhagen (WALK-Cph) intervention: A qualitative study in Denmark

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For years, bed rest and low mobility amongst older, hospitalized patients have attracted researchers’ attention and efforts have been made to understand how and why interventions might work or not. This study explores older medical patients’ experiences with the WALK Copenhagen (WALK-Cph) intervention, which aims at increasing in-hospital mobility and with mobility during hospitalization more generally. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 patients aged 65 to 93 (mean=77, SD=8) in two Danish hospital departments. Overall, the fundamental idea of the intervention was regarded meaningful and relevant by the patients. The intervention components, however, were interpreted in different ways and risked becoming invisible. Thus, the intervention was not a quick fix to increase mobility, as the patients had different experiences with in-hospital mobility. The patients’ practices of in-hospital mobility were influenced by personal experiences with illness and recovery, encouragement and support from others, hospital materialities and wishes to return to everyday active lives.

Original languageEnglish
JournalGeriatric Nursing
Volume42
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)46-56
Number of pages11
ISSN0197-4572
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

    Research areas

  • Ageing, Hospitalization, Implementation, Mobility, Older adults

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