Alexander Scheidegger1, Martin Müller2, Eleonore Arrer3, André Fringer4. 1. Institut für Modellbildung und Simulation IMS-FHS, FHS St. Gallen, Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften, St. Gallen, Schweiz. 2. Institut für Soziale Arbeit und Räume IFSAR-FHS, FHS St. Gallen, Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften, St. Gallen, Schweiz. 3. Institut für Angewandte Pflegewissenschaft IPW-FHS, FHS St. Gallen, Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften, St. Gallen, Schweiz. Eleonore.arrer@fhsg.ch. 4. Department für Pflegewissenschaft, Fakultät für Gesundheit, Universität Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Deutschland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The dynamics of care arrangements depend on a complex interplay of many factors. To explicitly analyze these interrelationships the "dynamic model of care by relatives" was developed. The starting points are two transition phases: role acquisition and relief. Both decisively influence the adequacy of care arrangements from a caregiver's perspective and these interrelationships have not been addressed with sufficient precision in the existing literature. The model is designed to support professionals in considering the intricate interaction between role acquisition and relief in decision making. METHODS: A causal loop diagram was elaborated by means of a group model building process whereby four university departments contributed to the modeling process. Additionally, 50 external organizations were involved, e.g. outpatient care services, nursing homes, medical and social counseling centers. A total of 18 interviews with caregiving relatives provided the basis for reconstructing the dynamics of the model variables. Finally, computer simulations enabled a model analysis and a comparison with the interview results. RESULTS: The model can be depicted as a causal diagram with five elements characterizing the experiences of caregiving relatives, e.g. acquiring the caregiver role, exhaustion, and relief due to support from third persons. An example serves to illustrate how professionals can transfer the model into practice. DISCUSSION: The model offers ideal typical modes of behavior, allowing professionals to individually generate adequate care arrangements, thereby reflecting their heterogeneity.
BACKGROUND: The dynamics of care arrangements depend on a complex interplay of many factors. To explicitly analyze these interrelationships the "dynamic model of care by relatives" was developed. The starting points are two transition phases: role acquisition and relief. Both decisively influence the adequacy of care arrangements from a caregiver's perspective and these interrelationships have not been addressed with sufficient precision in the existing literature. The model is designed to support professionals in considering the intricate interaction between role acquisition and relief in decision making. METHODS: A causal loop diagram was elaborated by means of a group model building process whereby four university departments contributed to the modeling process. Additionally, 50 external organizations were involved, e.g. outpatient care services, nursing homes, medical and social counseling centers. A total of 18 interviews with caregiving relatives provided the basis for reconstructing the dynamics of the model variables. Finally, computer simulations enabled a model analysis and a comparison with the interview results. RESULTS: The model can be depicted as a causal diagram with five elements characterizing the experiences of caregiving relatives, e.g. acquiring the caregiver role, exhaustion, and relief due to support from third persons. An example serves to illustrate how professionals can transfer the model into practice. DISCUSSION: The model offers ideal typical modes of behavior, allowing professionals to individually generate adequate care arrangements, thereby reflecting their heterogeneity.
Entities:
Keywords:
Care arrangements; Care role; Group model building; Informal caregiver; Relief