Background: The growing aging population, nursing shortage, and current landscape of understaffed long-term care (LTC) facilities collectively threaten quality patient care. Patient-centered care (PCC) is known to improve patient and staff outcomes by approaching care holistically through shared active patient/staff engagement in patient care and decision-making. When LTC staff engage with residents through stimulating and positive interactions, residents' mental and physical quality of life increase. Benefits to staff include increased job satisfaction and improved work performance through meaningful engagement and learning more about the residents’ preferences.  The literature describes the impact of conducting oral histories on LTC as a strategy to promote PCC with a focus on patient outcomes. However, there is a gap regarding the impact of oral histories on PCC from the staff’s perspective.  A nursing student created a LTC initiative in which the findings of LTC residents’ oral histories were summarized in posters and shadow boxes placed in the patient’s rooms to promote patient/staff engagement.

Purpose: to explore the perceptions and experiences of LTC staff regarding the impact of a LTC oral history initiative on PCC. 

Methodology: phenomenological qualitative methodology, utilizing thematic analysis of transcripts from semi-structured interviews conducted with LTC staff. Interview questions were created using the PeoPLe framework to address all six aspects of PCC.

Results: Pending. Study has obtained IRB approval. Data collection is on track for completion in December 2024; thematic analysis will be completed January 2025. 

Expected Conclusion/Clinical Implications: Preliminary findings indicate oral histories show promise as an effective strategy to promote PCC in LTC, with meaningful mutually beneficial outcomes for patients, staff, and LTC facilities. Findings will be disseminated to the LTC facility and corporate stakeholders and disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal.