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A Critical Review of Research on Hospitalization from Nursing Homes; What is Missing?

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Abstract

In this paper we seek to summarize research literature on hospitalization from nursing homes, to identify shared themes, findings and approaches, and to analyze strengths and weaknesses of the literature. The main aim of the article is to critically review current research on the topic of hospitalization from nursing homes, based on a variety of original research articles and literature overviews. First, we examine why studies of hospitalization from nursing homes are considered to be important in the literature, focusing on what is described as large variation in rates of hospitalization between institutions and geographical areas as well as the occurrence of unwanted and avoidable hospitalizations. Second, we present studies on reasons for rates of hospitalizations of nursing home patients based on patient characteristics. Third, we present studies that have focused on institutional characteristics that may explain rates of hospitalizations. Fourth, we examine factors and conditions highlighted in parts of the literature on hospitalization, more closely than others connected to practice and decision making. Finally, we discuss some of the weaknesses of these hospitalization studies and suggest areas for future research studies.

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Acknowledgments

This paper was supported by a grant from the Centre for Care Research, Bergen University College.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Care Research, Bergen University College, Møllendalsveien 6, 5009, Bergen, Norway

    Gudmund Ågotnes & Frode Fadnes Jacobsen

  2. Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    Gudmund Ågotnes & Karin Anna Petersen

  3. School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Charlene Harrington

  4. Betanien University College, Bergen, Norway

    Frode Fadnes Jacobsen

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  1. Gudmund Ågotnes
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  2. Frode Fadnes Jacobsen
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Correspondence to Gudmund Ågotnes.

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Ågotnes, G., Jacobsen, F.F., Harrington, C. et al. A Critical Review of Research on Hospitalization from Nursing Homes; What is Missing?. Ageing Int 41, 3–16 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-015-9232-4

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