Associations between person-centred climate and perceived quality of care in nursing homes: A cross-sectional study of relatives experiences

Aims To explore the extent to which a more person-centred climate could explain the variation in quality of care, as rated by relatives to nursing home residents in three countries. Design A cross-sectional, correlational, anonymous questionnaire study. Methods Questionnaires were administered to 346 relatives to residents in six nursing homes in Australia, Norway and Sweden between April-June 2016. Relatives (N = 178) agreed to participate. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression. Results The results showed that the relatives' experiences of a more person-centred climate were associated with higher ratings of the quality of care. A person-centred climate of safety had the strongest unique association with the quality of care, explaining 14% of the variance in quality of care. In addition, the results indicated that the relatives in general were satisfied with the quality of care and that children to the residents rated the quality of care higher than partners or other relatives. Conclusion This study advances the understanding of the relationship between person-centredness in nursing homes and quality of care, showing that person-centred climate aspects of safety and hospitality have a significant role in the quality of care as perceived by relatives. Impact Person-centredness in nursing homes is often mentioned as a quality of care indicator, but the empirical evidence for this suggestion is limited. This study expanded the evidence-base for person-centredness as a significant aspect of relatives' experiences of the quality of care in nursing homes.