Health Care Professionals' Experiences as Family Caregivers During Intra-Hospital Transitions

Background: Family caregivers are often perceived as inexperienced family members assuming caregiving duties. However, health care professionals may also find themselves in an informal caregiving role as older adult relatives or friends are hospitalized and experience intra-hospital transitions. The purpose of the current study was to describe the experiences of health care professionals assuming the role of informal caregiver during intra-hospital transitions. Methods: As part of a larger study, a separate analysis of six semi-structured interviews from family caregivers with health care backgrounds was considered. Findings: Health care professionals as family caregivers (HCP-FCs) reported they sought inclusion in the care provided, they had unique insider perspectives, and experienced role struggle between health care professional and new informal caregiver. Moreover, HCP-FCs reported increased role struggle during interactions with colleagues and fellow health care professionals. Conclusions: Understanding of the role of HCP-FCs during transitions in care is necessary to develop interventions supportive of patient- and family-centered care.