Table 2.

Perspectives on terminology and conceptualisation of care (taking ‘drinking/hydration’ as an example)

	Who’s perspective?
	Care giver	Care recipient
Goals/Objectives of care: activities of daily living that patients may require help with whilst in hospital	Maintain hydration	Have enough to drink
Action: the types of intervention undertaken by care providers (primarily nursing staff)	Assist with drinks, administer IV fluids	Be given drinks
Associated activity/resource to enable care need met	• Fluid balance charts/systems in place • Organisation of responsibilities between staff (roles) • Sufficient staff to ensure drinking assistance and fluid monitoring undertaken • Routines-water jugs provided, drinks rounds, drinks placed in reach, suitable drinking aids	• Nurses know what I’ve drunk • I know how to get drinks • Range/choice of drinks available • I’m given help when I need it to ensure I have enough drinks or other fluids • I have sufficient access to drinks
Consequences/Outcomes	Clinical outcomes/measures of successful hydration (and dehydration) - Fluid in-balance - Skin condition Evidence/outcomes of poor hydration - Increased risk of urinary tract infection - Impaired cognitive function	Experience associated with hydration or dehydration: - Thirst quenched/feel thirsty - Comfort/pleasure eg. ‘enjoying nice cup of tea’