Table 3 Examples of coding strategy

The hospital stay was lovely. I enjoyed it, I must say. I basically have nothing to put my finger on when it comes to nursing and care and such. I must say I was really happy with that stay, to come to a place where I could relax. (P3)

The hospital stay was pleasant and a break from personal worries

The hospital as a place free from daily worries

Hospital stay and the person behind the diagnosis

Then they took samples both here and there, and all kinds of examinations. And the next day it was the same lesson again with some blood tests. (P6)

Many blood tests and different examinations

Biomedical approach

Yes, they told me in the morning because I hadn’t been told before. Therefore, I first thought that there would be no discharge that day either. But then they came and said, “You’re leaving now. You’ve got a room.” “Yes, well,” I just said then. (P23)

I was not informed of discharge

Scant information

Poor communication and coordination

I have no information about what is going on. No idea. I do not think there has been any cooperation between the hospital and the municipal health service. I do not think so. (P7)

No cooperation experienced between the hospital and the municipality

Poor coordination

Right now, I am not very optimistic about my own situation, because I have been to the hospital and have the problems I have. I think that in time I must move to a retirement home. That’s probably what’s going to happen. (P5)

I am pessimistic and insecure regarding my future

Insecurity

Life after discharge

Now I have lost my courage. I’m too slow, I’m too tired, I have no strength for anything and then I get discouraged. (P10)

I have no strength to handle everyday life and it makes me discouraged

Loss of ability to manage activities of daily living

My family is so helpful and I my neighbor is also very kind to me. She and her daughter buy groceries for me every Tuesday and that’s very helpful too. (P21)

My family and my neighbor help me with everyday tasks

I could not manage without their help

Relationships with next of kin

This is a little bit difficult for my kids to understand, you see, because they are used to me being able to manage by myself. They don’t quite understand this new situation. Because they haven’t seen me so helpless before, I think. They haven’t seen it. So now they see me as a more helpless person. (P15)

I am helpless and need more help than before. It’s hard for my children

I am helpless

Yes, they (the health personnel) are busy. And that very day, I saw her running from one to the other. They must be tired. They must be. (P20)

The health personnel are busy and do not have enough time

The health personnel have limited time to perform health services

Organizational and systemic determinants

It’s not that bad now, I think. It’s been worse. I usually write down who’s coming, because I don’t always remember well. For example, Friday, October 6—Then one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine different people came from the home service. (P19)

Up to nine different people come each day

Different personnel came on each home visit