1. Factors affecting the embedding of integrated primary–secondary care into a health district.
- Author
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Mitchell, Geoffrey K., Young, Charlotte E., Janamian, Tina, Beaver, Kylie M., Johnson, Joanne L. K., Hannan-Jones, Clare, and Mutch, Allyson J.
- Subjects
ACTION research ,COMMUNICATION ,COMMUNITY health services ,ENDOWMENTS ,FAMILY medicine ,HEALTH care teams ,HEALTH services accessibility ,INTEGRATED health care delivery ,INTERVIEWING ,RESEARCH methodology ,MEDICAL care ,MEDICAL needs assessment ,MEDICAL protocols ,PRIMARY health care ,RESEARCH funding ,SURVEYS ,QUALITATIVE research ,THEMATIC analysis ,HUMAN services programs ,PATIENT-centered care ,EVALUATION of human services programs ,DATA analysis software ,SECONDARY care (Medicine) ,CLINICAL governance - Abstract
With the aging population, the tide of chronic disease is rising with attendant increases in health service need. Integrated care and patient-centred approaches, which established partnerships between a regional Hospital and health service (HHS), the local primary health network and local general practitioners (GPs), were identified as exemplars of an approach needed to support growing community health needs. This paper summarises the findings from a process evaluation of four GP–specialist care integration programs with the aim of identifying recommendations for embedding integrated GP–specialist care into routine practice within the HHS. The process evaluation of the integration programs drew on input from a multidisciplinary expert advisory group and data collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, as well as surveys of participating GPs and patients. Overarching findings were identified and grouped under six themes: interdisciplinary teamwork; communication and information exchange; the use of shared care guidelines or pathways; training and education; access and accessibility; and funding. Within each theme, key challenges and enablers emerged. The findings of this study highlight benefits and challenges associated with the establishment of integrated care between primary and secondary care providers, leading to the development of key recommendations for routine integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
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