Date of Conferral
2015
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Health Services
Advisor
Suzanne Richins
Abstract
Scholars since the 19th century have focused on the provision of care in group homes and have demonstrated that structure (that is, the staff, facilities, and equipment), is critical in the delivery of care. The researchers, however, advocate doing for, rather than doing with the clients the activities that address the clients' welfare. The purpose of this study is to investigate how a client-centered approach would affect the quality of care delivered to the mentally challenged individuals (MCIs) in a group home. The study employed the quality-care framework in which the emphasis is on structure (skills), process (efficiency), and outcome (results). The research questions examined operational values underpinning company sanctioned work processes, how personal values underpin work processes of the direct caregivers, configuration of personal values the caregivers believe should be supported in the group home context, and how critical incidents shaped the value set of direct caregivers in regard to care processes. Using structured questionnaires and observing staff as they delivered care to their clients, data were collected from participants who were direct caregivers (n = 7), a facility administrator, and a nurse. The data were coded, categorized, and analyzed for emergent themes. The results of the analysis indicated that there was discord between staff and the organizational leadership. This discord could be improved through increased interaction between the mentioned stakeholders. The results further depicted that client-centered care may have a positive impact on the health of the MCIs that would enable the MCIs to make notable contributions to social change.
Recommended Citation
Wambugu, Peniel Mugo, "Client-Centered Care Approach to Group Home Care" (2015). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 1948.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1948
