Flip focus and emphasise patient resources in person‐centred care over the telephone—A retrospective descriptive study

Abstract Aim The study aim was to describe the content of person‐centred health plans, formulated via telephone conversations between registered nurses and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and/or chronic heart failure. Method Patients who had been hospitalised due to worsening chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and/or chronic heart failure were enrolled. After hospital discharge, the patients received a person‐centred telephone support where a health plan was co‐created with registered nurses who had received training in the theory and practice of person‐centred care. A retrospective descriptive review of 95 health plans using content analysis was conducted. Results The health plan content revealed personal resources such as optimism and motivation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and/or chronic heart failure. Although patients reported severe dyspnoea symptoms, the most common goals were to engage in physical activity and to be able to manage social life and leisure activities. Additionally, the health plans illustrated that patients were capable of using their own interventions to reach their goals rather than accessing municipal and health care support. Conclusion The focus on listening, that person‐centred telephone care affords, promotes the patient's own goals, interventions, and resources, which can be used to tailor support and engage the patient as an active partner in their care. The flipped focus from patient to person highlights the person's own resources, which in turn may contribute to a reduced need for hospital care.