Home Emergency Care Reduces Patient Anxiety, Swedish Study Shows
Mobile emergency teams treating patients at home dramatically improve psychological outcomes compared to hospital transport, according to new research. The finding could reshape emergency response strategy and reduce costly hospital admissions, offering health systems a more efficient care model.
Originaltitel: Bringing the Hospital to the Adult Patient: A Qualitative Study of Patients' and Relatives' Experiences of Mobile Emergency Care at Home
Mobil akutsjukvård i hemmet ökar efterfrågan på nya organisationsmodeller — och denna svenska studie kartlägger patienters och anhörigas upplevelse av konceptet, vilket blir relevant för regioner som planerar hembaserad akutberedskap. Forskarna intervjuade 11 patienter, 4 anhöriga och 5 patient-anhörigpar som fått vård från Mobila Akutteam (MAT) i sydvästra Sverige. Genom tematisk analys identifierades två huvudfynd: patienterna upplevde akutteamens ankomst som en vändpunkt som förde lugn och klarhet, och hemvården i bekant miljö stärkde känslan av värdighet och autonomi. Högskolan i Borås tillsammans med PreHospen och Linnaeus University genomförde studien med godkännande från Etikprövningsmyndigheten. För inköpschefer och regionledare är detta relevant eftersom det dokumenterar att emotionell trygghet och kontinuitet är kritiska framgångsfaktorer — men studien identifierar också luckor i uppföljning efter teamens avresa, vilket påpekar behovet av förbättrad handöverprocess.
<p>Aim: To explore how patients and their relatives perceive and experience emergency care delivered at home by Mobile Emergency Teams (METs). Design: An exploratory qualitative design was used to explore how patients and relatives experienced the care encounter. This approach was appropriate given the exploratory nature of the study. Ethical Considerations: The study was approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (No: 2023–02186-01) and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Participants provided informed consent, were assured of confidentiality, and were informed of their right to withdraw at any time. Methods: The study was conducted in southwestern Sweden and included 20 semi-structured interviews with patients (n = 11), relatives (n = 4), and joint patient-relative interviews (n = 5) who had recently received care from METs. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis. Results: The analysis generated two overarching themes: Embraced by a calming environment and A sense of safety and security. Participants described METs' arrival as a turning point that brought calm and clarity to emotionally intense situations. The teams' respectful approach, clear communication and structured assessments contributed to emotional reassurance. Receiving care at home, in a familiar environment and in the presence of loved ones, supported participants' sense of dignity, autonomy and control. However, some participants expressed uncertainty about what would happen after METs' departure, indicating a need for improved follow-up and continuity of care. Limitations: Findings are shaped by a specific Swedish context, joint interviews and purposive sampling, which may limit transferability. Conclusion: Emergency care at home was experienced as emotionally supportive and clinically competent. Attentiveness, clarity and a respectful presence were central to participants' sense of being thoroughly and considerately cared for. </p>