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Which factors affect post-transfer gaps in follow-up care? A qualitative study of the insights of healthcare providers in Sweden and Belgium.
- Source :
-
BMJ open [BMJ Open] 2024 Aug 17; Vol. 14 (8), pp. e079996. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Aug 17. - Publication Year :
- 2024
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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