
Research article

Development of a patient-centred care pathway across healthcare providers: a qualitative study

Tove Røsstad12*, Helge Garåsen12, Aslak Steinsbekk1, Olav Sletvold34 and Anders Grimsmo15

Author Affiliations

1 Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

2 Department of Health and Welfare Services, City of Trondheim, Trondheim, Norway

3 Department of Geriatrics, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway

4 Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

5 Norwegian Health Net, Trondheim, Norway

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BMC Health Services Research 2013, 13:121  doi:10.1186/1472-6963-13-121

Published: 1 April 2013

Abstract

Background

Different models for care pathways involving both specialist and primary care have been developed to ensure adequate follow-up after discharge. These care pathways have mainly been developed and run by specialist care and have been disease-based. In this study, primary care providers took the initiative to develop a model for integrated care pathways across care levels for older patients in need of home care services after discharge. Initially, the objective was to develop pathways for patients diagnosed with heart failure, COPD and stroke. The aim of this paper is to investigate the process and the experiences of the participants in this developmental work. The participants were drawn from three hospitals, six municipalities and patient organizations in Central Norway.

Methods

This qualitative study used focus group interviews, written material and observations. Representatives from the hospitals, municipalities and patient organizations taking part in the development process were chosen as informants.

Results

The development process was very challenging because of the differing perspectives on care and different organizational structures in specialist care and primary care. In this study, the disease perspective, being dominant in specialist care, was not found to be suitable for use in primary health care because of the need to cover a broader perspective including the patient’s functioning, social situation and his or her preferences. Furthermore, managing several different disease-based care pathways was found to be unsuitable in home care services, as well as unsuitable for a population characterized by a substantial degree of comorbidity. The outcome of the development process was a consensus that outlined a single, common patient-centred care pathway for transition from hospital to follow-up in primary care. The pathway was suitable for most common diseases and included functional and social aspects as well as disease follow-up, thus merging the differing perspectives. The disease-based care pathways were kept for use within the hospitals.

Conclusions

Disease-based care pathways for older patients were found to be neither feasible nor sustainable in primary care. A common patient-centred care pathway that could meet the needs of multi- morbid patients was recommended.

Keywords:
Care coordination; Continuity of patient care; Healthcare disparities; Multi-morbidity; Patient discharge; Primary care; Home care services; Interdisciplinary communication; Organizational culture; Health services for the aged
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