Consumer compliments about nursing and midwifery care: A 12-month retrospective analysis

AbstractAimsTo analyse the compliments received from patients' and companions and to describe the characteristics of high‐quality nursing and midwifery care from the perspective of healthcare consumers.DesignRetrospective analysis of health service compliments data.MethodsAll compliments specific to nursing and midwifery care received between July 2020 and June 2021 were extracted from the reporting database for six hospital sites of a large public health service in Victoria, Australia. Inductive coding captured the characteristics and qualities of nurses and midwives elicited from the compliments. Deductive coding used two frameworks: an adapted health complaints assessment tool, and 10 dimensions of nursing and midwifery care used in the health service. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis of coded data.ResultsOf the 2833 records identified, 433 nursing and midwifery‐specific compliments were identified; of these 225 consumer or care partner compliments were identified for analysis. Most compliments (80.4%, n = 181) were from the smaller hospital sites compared to 19.6% (n = 44) received at the largest hospital site; and from care programmes that typically care for older patients (42.7%, n = 113). Only 39% (n = 89) of compliments related to quality and safety of clinical care, 9% (n = 21) related to management and 17% (n = 38) to relationships. Forty‐nine percent (n = 113) related to dimensions of fundamental nursing and midwifery care, with psychological care best represented (39.8%, n = 89). Most often, compliments related to characteristics or attributes of nurses.ConclusionAnalysis of compliments reveals characteristics of nursing and midwifery care valued by healthcare consumers. Surprisingly, few compliments related to clinical dimensions of nursing and midwifery practice. Comments related to psychological aspects of nursing and midwifery care were most common. Understanding consumer perceptions of high‐quality care provided by nurses and midwives provide guidance about care delivery that meets or exceed consumer expectations. The findings suggest low consumer awareness about professional and clinical aspects of nursing and midwifery work.ImpactCompliments provide a unique insight into consumer perspectives of high‐quality nursing and midwifery care. When making compliments, consumers most often commented about the attributes and characteristics of nurses and midwives, rather than clinical aspects of care. Compliments specific to nursing and midwifery care provide guidance to enhance care delivery to meet or exceed consumer expectations.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution.