The survey was developed by the research team specifically for this project as there were no benchmarking tools for person-centred care already in existence.  It was based on the key elements identified in the literature, and on advice from older people themselves, as important aspects of person-centred health care.

The survey was distributed to allied health, nursing, medical, management and administrative staff working in General Medical wards, Rehabilitation wards, Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) or Aged Care wards, Community Rehabilitation Centres and Continence Clinics across 13 Victorian Health Services.

Survey respondents were asked to rate, on a 5-point Likert scale, their attitudes, beliefs and current practice in relation to the following topics:

1. Getting to know the older service user (patient or client)
2. Sharing power and responsibility with older service users
3. Service flexibility and accessibility
4. Making sense of service for the older service user
5. The working environment facilitates person-centred practice
6. Concerns expressed by older people

Respondents were also given the opportunity to provide free text comments after each question about factors that help or detract from working with service users in this way.  The final section of the survey allowed respondents to comment on things that help and detract from working in a person-centred way within their Health Service, the resources that would support them to work in this way, and any areas in their Health Service where they thought person-centred approaches were already well developed.

The survey was completed by 1,428 staff across the 13 participating Health Services throughout Victoria.

The results of this survey provided the project team with guidance on areas to focus on for the investigation of the good practice initiatives.

To view the final report of the survey, including the results, click here .