Janice Ying-Chui Lau1,2,3, Eliza Lai-Yi Wong1, Roger Y Chung1,4, Stephen C K Law1,5, Diane Threapleton1,6, Nicole Kiang1, Patsy Chau1, Samuel Y S Wong1, Jean Woo4, Eng-Kiong Yeoh1. 1. JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong. 2. Centre of Urban History, Culture and Media, Institute of Future Cities, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong. 3. Department of Anthropology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong. 4. JC Institute of Ageing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong. 5. Centre for Applied Health Economics, School of Medicine, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia. 6. Nutritional Epidemiology Group, University of Leeds, UK.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To examine the barriers that hinder collaboration between health care and social care services and to report recommendations for effective collaboration to meet the growing support and care needs of our ageing population. METHODS: Data for this qualitative study were obtained from interviews with 7 key informants (n = 42) and 22 focus groups (n = 117) consisting of service providers who were from the health care or social care sectors and supporting elderly patients with multiple chronic diseases or long-term care needs. Data collection was conducted from 2015 to 2016. The data were analysed using an inductive approach on the basis of thematic analysis. FINDINGS: Qualitative analysis reviewed a number of factors that play a significant role in setting up barriers at the operational level, including fragmentation and lack of sustainability of discharge programmes provided by non-governmental organisations, lack of capacity of homes for the elderly, limitation of time and resources, and variation of roles in supporting end-of-life care decisions between the medical and social sectors. Other barriers are those of communication to be found at the structural level and perceptual ones that exist between professionals. Of these, perceptual barriers affect attitudes and create mistrust and interprofessional stereotypes and a hierarchy between the health care and social care sectors. CONCLUSION: Health care and social care service providers recognise the need for collaborative work to enhance continuity of care and ageing in place; however, their efforts are hindered by the identified barriers that need to be dealt with in practical terms and by a change of policy.
PURPOSE: To examine the barriers that hinder collaboration between health care and social care services and to report recommendations for effective collaboration to meet the growing support and care needs of our ageing population. METHODS: Data for this qualitative study were obtained from interviews with 7 key informants (n = 42) and 22 focus groups (n = 117) consisting of service providers who were from the health care or social care sectors and supporting elderly patients with multiple chronic diseases or long-term care needs. Data collection was conducted from 2015 to 2016. The data were analysed using an inductive approach on the basis of thematic analysis. FINDINGS: Qualitative analysis reviewed a number of factors that play a significant role in setting up barriers at the operational level, including fragmentation and lack of sustainability of discharge programmes provided by non-governmental organisations, lack of capacity of homes for the elderly, limitation of time and resources, and variation of roles in supporting end-of-life care decisions between the medical and social sectors. Other barriers are those of communication to be found at the structural level and perceptual ones that exist between professionals. Of these, perceptual barriers affect attitudes and create mistrust and interprofessional stereotypes and a hierarchy between the health care and social care sectors. CONCLUSION: Health care and social care service providers recognise the need for collaborative work to enhance continuity of care and ageing in place; however, their efforts are hindered by the identified barriers that need to be dealt with in practical terms and by a change of policy.
Authors: Jiaer Lin; Kamrul Islam; Stephen Leeder; Zhaohua Huo; Chi Tim Hung; Eng Kiong Yeoh; James Gillespie; Hengjin Dong; Jan Erik Askildsen; Dan Liu; Qi Cao; Benjamin Hon Kei Yip; Adriana Castelli Journal: Int J Integr Care Date: 2022-03-16 Impact factor: 5.120