[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the
awareness of change in the medical condition of elderly patients requiring care by visiting
rehabilitation workers.[Methods] After reviewing questionnaire survey results from 334
visiting rehabilitation workers, we used multivariable analysis to weigh the factor scores of
the respondents’ characteristics and assessment of the change in medical condition as
classified into two groups: presence or absence of awareness[. Results] Comparison between
the two groups showed that older age and length of experience of the visiting rehabilitation
workers and their experience with respiratory disease were greater in the presence of
awareness group. The values of the second, third, and fourth factor scores in the presence of
awareness group were significantly lower than those in the absence of awareness group.
Logistic regression analysis results showed that age and years of experience of the visiting
rehabilitation workers, their experience with respiratory disease, and the third factor,
assessment of basic activities of daily living, independently influenced the awareness of
change.[Conclusion] In addition to the length of experience of the visiting rehabilitation
workers and their experience with respiratory disease, assessment of vital signs, level of
consciousness, respiratory condition, and activities of daily living also clearly affect the
awareness of change in the medical condition of elderly patients.
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