Institute of Nursing Research, University of Ulster, Newtownabbey, UK.
J Adv Nurs. 2011 Jun;67(6):1349-57. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05586.x. Epub 2011 Feb 16.
This paper reports the findings of a national study of the variations in the provision and correlates of respite breaks to families. Background. Internationally, respite breaks are a major support service to family carers, demand for which often exceeds supply for persons with an intellectual disability. Hence, the length of breaks available to families has to be rationed. Nurses are often involved in such decisions.
National data on the use of respite breaks by over 4000 families in a full calendar year (2008) were analysed to examine the variation within the Republic of Ireland on two indicators: namely the proportion of carers who had any access to breaks and the median number of days they had received.
Striking differences across health service areas were found on both indicators of usage. These were not solely attributable to the availability of provision but also reflected variations in the criteria local services used to allocate places. However, those persons with more severe disabilities were given priority, whereas carer characteristics were not a major influence. Contact with social workers and community nurses also increased the likelihood of carers receiving respite breaks.
Intra-country comparisons of service delivery should assist planners in creating more equitable access to respite breaks and the development of more explicit eligibility criteria for their use. Nurses are well placed to lead on this.
本文报告了一项全国性研究的结果，该研究调查了家庭喘息服务的提供情况及其变化，以及与之相关的因素。背景：在国际上，喘息服务是对家庭照顾者的一项重要支持服务，对这种服务的需求往往超过了智障人士的实际供应量。因此，可供家庭使用的休息时间必须进行配给。护士通常参与此类决策。
对 2008 年超过 4000 个家庭在一整个日历年内使用喘息服务的数据进行了分析，以检查爱尔兰共和国在两个指标上的差异：即有任何机会获得休息的照顾者比例和他们实际获得的休息天数的中位数。
在使用情况的两个指标上，都发现了卫生服务区域之间的显著差异。这些差异不仅归因于供应的可用性，还反映了当地服务分配地点时使用的标准的变化。然而，那些残疾程度更严重的人优先获得了喘息服务，而照顾者的特征并没有太大影响。与社会工作者和社区护士的接触也增加了照顾者获得喘息服务的可能性。
对服务提供情况的国内比较有助于规划者创造更公平的喘息服务机会，并制定更明确的使用资格标准。护士在这方面具有得天独厚的优势。
