Coordination of care: effects on the continuity and quality of care.

Chronically ill elderly clients in three communities in the Netherlands were provided with the services of care coordinators. Two studies were performed to evaluate the effects of this intervention. A study among 38 coordinators addressed the effects on the continuity of care. A second study among 72 elderly clients addressed the effects on client satisfaction. While the study among coordinators clearly revealed effects on continuity (especially for interpersonal continuity), hardly any effects on satisfaction with care were reported by clients. Therefore, the appointment of care coordinators seems valuable when aimed at increasing continuity, but other interventions can be more appropriate for the improvement of client care.