The facilitation of user-involvement for people with dementia as experienced by health care professionals: A qualitative study using focus groups

Objective The main objective of this study was to explore how health care professionals experience adaptation of user-involvement for people with dementia receiving health and social care. Method A qualitative explorative design was used with eight focus groups as the method of data collection. A total of 49 health care professionals were included representing a variety of professions, municipal and specialized health services, and all health regions of Norway. The transcribed focus group interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis following six steps to identify categories and the overall theme. Results Six main categories were identified: 1) facilitation of self-determination, 2) challenges of reduced or lack of awareness, 3) family caregivers' concern and protection, 4) open communication, 5) establishing a trustworthy relationship, and 6) clarifying expectations. To maintain independent lives for people with dementia, health care professionals must facilitate and support shared decision-making using an open and trustworthy communication. Conclusion To facilitate user-involvement, health care professionals need to develop and implement strategies that consider the perspectives of people with dementia and support the relationship between people with dementia and their informal caregivers.