Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the specific needs of older patients with chronic diseases and their family members for medical visit accompaniment services in outpatient settings. METHODS: The interview outline was developed based on the theory of existence, relatedness, and growth needs. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with older patients and their family members. Directed content analysis was used to analyze the interview data. This study followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines to report the study. RESULTS: Nineteen older patients with chronic diseases and 17 family members, were interviewed in the outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in Hangzhou from July to August 2024. Four themes emerged with ten sub-themes: (1) existence needs (basic services, security, and the qualifications of medical visit accompaniment providers), (2) relatedness needs (relationships with medical visit accompaniment providers and emotional support), (3) growth needs (willingness to learn and learning contents), and (4) the need for optimizing service provision (improving the efficiency of medical visits, ensuring transparency of the visit, and delivering personalized services). CONCLUSION: The needs of older patients with chronic diseases for medical visit accompaniment services included existence needs, relationship needs, growth needs, and the need for optimizing service provision. The government and institutions providing medical visit accompaniment services should conduct qualification assessment, enhance personnel management, and improve the services as to effectively promote the medical experience and healthy ageing of older patients.