ArticleBMC geriatrics2026
Positive and negative experiences and emotions of older patients before, during and after hospital admission: patient journey mapping.
Article in BMC geriatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe aging population presents a growing challenge for healthcare systems, with older adults, particularly those aged 70 and older, accounting for a significant proportion of hospital admissions due to chronic conditions and multimorbidity. Older patients often require coordinated care across multiple providers, making their healthcare trajectories complex and critical. Enhancing patient-centered care (PCC) is essential for improving outcomes and aligning healthcare with patients' needs and preferences. Therefore, our study aims to explore older patient’s needs, wishes, and experiences by applying a patient journey mapping approach for older patients to enhance PCC.
methodsThis qualitative study employed a patient journey mapping approach to explore patients' experiences, needs, and wishes before, during, and after hospital admission. Semi-structured interviews and post-discharge follow-ups were conducted with patients aged ≥ 70 from multiple Dutch hospital departments from April to December 2024. Interview notes were summarized, compiled and organized using a patient journey map template. Data were analysed inductively through thematic content analysis, supported by MAXQDA V9 for open coding, to identify care phases, stakeholders, experiences, emotions, and needs. Patient Journey Maps (PJMs) were iteratively refined with the research team. COREQ guidelines were followed for reporting.
resultsA total of 132 patients (48% female, 52% male) participated, with a mean age of 79 years. Participants were recruited from six hospitals, with most (68%) undergoing an acute non-surgical care journey. Follow-up was completed by 59%. PJMs, categorized into four quadrants (acute surgical (14%), acute non-surgical (68%), non-acute surgical (12%), non-acute non-surgical (6%)), offered a comprehensive view of variable patient experiences, interactions, emotions and (unmet) needs.
conclusionPatient journey mapping captured a diversity of experiences of a large cohort of older adults (≥ 70 years) before, during and after hospitalization, revealing critical areas for improvement. Key opportunities for improvement included expectation management, compassionate care, clear information handover, and coordinated general practitioner follow-up. These findings offer insights to improve patient experiences and support more person-centered care for an aging population.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.