Back to Search Start Over

Which factors affect post-transfer gaps in follow-up care? A qualitative study of the insights of healthcare providers in Sweden and Belgium.

Authors :
Skogby S
Goossens E
Johansson B
Moons P
Bratt EL
Source :
BMJ open [BMJ Open] 2024 Aug 17; Vol. 14 (8), pp. e079996. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Aug 17.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Background: Young people with congenital heart disease (CHD) are frequently affected by discontinued follow-up when transferring from paediatric to adult care. Identified predictors for discontinuation include mostly patient-related factors, and further knowledge of hospital and healthcare system factors is needed.<br />Aim: This study aims to explore patient-related, hospital-related and healthcare system-related factors affecting continued follow-up care after transfer, as perceived and experienced by paediatric cardiology and adult CHD (ACHD) healthcare providers (HCPs) in Sweden and Belgium.<br />Methods: This descriptive qualitative study included individual interviews with cardiologists, nurses and administrative staff, subjected to qualitative content analysis. A total of 30 HCPs from 13 specialist care outpatient clinics at 8 different centres in Sweden and Belgium were interviewed. HCPs were included if they had direct contact with patients and had at least 1 year of work experience.<br />Findings: The findings illuminate three main categories of factors perceived by HCPs to affect continued follow-up care after transfer, including 'care structure', 'care processes' and 'patient characteristics and circumstances'. Success was described as multifactorial, emphasising processes and structures of care, with a focus on collaboration, organisation, joint responsibility, resources, care relationships and transitional care interventions. Few differences appeared between paediatric and ACHD HCPs and between Swedish and Belgian HCPs.<br />Conclusion: HCPs perceived factors on patient, hospital and healthcare system levels to influence continued follow-up. Process-related and structure-related aspects of care were perceived as more influential than individual patient characteristics. Hence, future research on discontinued follow-up care should focus on process-related and structure-related aspects of care delivery.<br />Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.<br /> (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2044-6055
Volume :
14
Issue :
8
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
BMJ open
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
39153785
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079996