Analysis
Analysis
The primary research tool used was a survey and we collected 43 responses. A survey was deemed more convenient considering the efficiency and valuable data a survey can provide. Google forms was chosen because it is easier for people to utilize and can provide us tabulated data based off of responses. 12 meaningful questions were asked, some of which will not be utilized in this analysis as it does not provide any crucial information for our target audience and the problem they are currently facing.
We then asked people about their occupation. Out of the 43 respondents, 14 were healthcare professionals and 29 were non-healthcare workers. This data is depicted in figure one, serving as a visual aid. This question was asked as it will give us an idea of who is speaking from the side of a healthcare worker who sees the repercussions of lack of compassionate care firsthand and who is talking from personal experience they have had with healthcare workers.
Figure 1: A free response question was asked that aimed to see the occupation of the 43 respondents. This was asked as a means of seeing how many respondants are healthcare workers and how many are not.
The respondents were then asked if they have ever been faced with lack of compassionate care by a healthcare provider. As shown in figure two, 32.6% or 14 people said that they have been provided with a lack of compassion by a healthcare worker. Though this number does not seem astounding, it holds a lot of value. There should not be people feeling uncomfortable and misunderstood in the care of a healthcare professional whose job it is to provide quality care to patients during their hard times.
Figure 2: The 43 respondents were asked if they have ever experienced lack of compassion from a healthcare provider.
These 32.6% of respondents then were asked to share an example of a time when they faced lack of compassion and this response was optional. Many people expressed that they often felt dismissed by providers because they spent little time with the patient talking about the problem they are facing. Some healthcare providers noted that other workers would often talk ill about patients to judge them for their problems and often dismissed pain due to chronic illness thereby not treating the patient the same way they would treat another patient with the same symptoms. Respondents emphasized that even when they did verbalize a lack of compassion or malpractice they were met with judgement simply because they were not healthcare workers so they do not know wrong from right. Finally, some stated their current problem was dismissed because providers often correlated their symptoms to other external factors rather than assessing further.
The 43 respondents were asked to rank several factors they consider important to have as part of their job package. The data is depicted in figure three. One is most important and 6 is least important. Out of the 43 respondents, 15 ranked satisfactory wage a one, three ranked healthcare benefits a one, one ranked patient off as one, 11 ranked competitive wages a one, seven ranked health staff environment a one and six ranked patient care a one. From this we can see what it is that employees want to see at work which can be used as a means of retention. Overall having a health staff environment, satisfactory and competitive wages is most important to people even over patient care. It is worth considering that as 29 out of 43 of the respondents do not actively work in the healthcare industry, they cannot rank patient care as important to them personally.
Figure 3: 43 respondents were asked to rank satisfactory wages, healthcare benefits, paid time off, competitive wage, health staff environment and patient care in order of importance, one being most important and six being least important.
Surveyors were then asked to evaluate, if applicable, the professionalism they have faced with home healthcare workers based on their interactions. As shown in figure four, one person rated their experience a two out of five, six people rated their experiences a three out of five, six people rated their experiences a four out of five and four people rated their experience a five out of five. Out of the 43 respondents, 17 have experienced an interaction with a home healthcare provider and of those 17 only 13 have a less than desired experience. Figure four illustrates a problem that needs to be addressed. People should be having a good experience with their healthcare provider that is taking care of them or their loved one as this is the person who is in charge of the patient's care.
Figure 4: 43 respondents were asked to evaluate the professionalism of the home healthcare providers they have interacted with and this question was optional as not everyone has experience with a home healthcare provider. 17 responses were recorded.
Figure 5: 43 respondents were asked if they thought that caregivers are given enough support to provide compassionate care and avoid burnout.
The pie chart in figure five reveals a striking insight into the perceived level of support provided to caregivers. When we asked “Do you think that the caregivers are given enough support (training, resources, emotional support, etc.) to provide compassionate care and avoid burnout?”, the majority of respondents expressed dissatisfaction. A significant 65.1% of participants disagreed, indicating a widespread concern that caregivers lack adequate training, resources, and emotional support. Conversely, 34.9% of respondents agreed that caregivers are adequately supported. This divide highlights a pressing need to reassess and enhance the support systems available to caregivers, ensuring they can provide high-quality care without succumbing to burnout.
For those who disagreed that caregivers receive enough support, their explanations highlighted several key issues. Caregivers are often overworked and understaffed, with inadequate training that leaves them feeling unprepared. They frequently lack essential resources and struggle to prioritize their own well-being due to the demanding nature of their role. Additionally, the healthcare system tends to normalize burnout among caregivers, neglecting their mental health and failing to provide sufficient support or time off. These concerns emphasize the need for improved support systems that address both practical and emotional challenges.
Figure 6: 43 respondents were asked about the importance of retaining healthcare workers by ranking on a scale of one to five, with one being the least important and five being the most important.
The graph in figure six demonstrates a clear consensus when we asked “How important do you think it is for homecare agencies to retain experienced and compassionate healthcare workers?”. An overwhelming majority with 88.4% of respondents rated this as most important (five on the scale), while only a small minority selected lower ratings: 7% chose four, and 4.7% chose three. No respondents rated the importance as low (one or two). This strong agreement highlights that nearly all participants view the retention of skilled and compassionate staff as essential for delivering high-quality homecare services.
Respondents suggested a range of additional services and support that could improve the experience for clients and their families. Key recommendations included regular wellness check-ins, family support groups, and easy-to-use updates to keep families informed and connected. Many highlighted the need for emotional support services, such as access to counselors and mental health resources, as well as more empathy and emotional intelligence training for caregivers. Involving families through training and care planning was seen as valuable for personalizing care and bridging gaps. Administrative support, like home care coordinators to assist with logistics, and greater appreciation and better pay for caregivers, were also frequently mentioned. Overall, these suggestions emphasize the importance of strong communication, emotional support, family involvement, practical assistance, and recognition of caregivers to enhance the overall care experience.