Care transition types across acute, sub-acute and primary care: Case studies of older people with complex conditions and their carers

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Author(s)
Harvey, Desley
Foster, Michele
Quigley, Rachel
Strivens, Edward
Year published
2018
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to examine the care transitions of older people who transfer between home, acute and sub-acute care to determine if there were common transition types and areas for improvements.
Design/methodology/approach
A longitudinal case study design was used to examine care transitions of 19 older people and their carers as a series of transitions and a whole-of-system experience. Case study accounts synthesising semi-structured interviews with function and service use data from medical records were compared.
Findings
Three types of care transitions were derived from the analysis: manageable, ...
View more >Purpose The purpose of the paper is to examine the care transitions of older people who transfer between home, acute and sub-acute care to determine if there were common transition types and areas for improvements. Design/methodology/approach A longitudinal case study design was used to examine care transitions of 19 older people and their carers as a series of transitions and a whole-of-system experience. Case study accounts synthesising semi-structured interviews with function and service use data from medical records were compared. Findings Three types of care transitions were derived from the analysis: manageable, unstable and disrupted. Each type had distinguishing characteristics and older people could experience elements of all types across the system. Transition types varied according to personal and systemic factors. Originality/value This study identifies types of care transition experiences across acute, sub-acute and primary care from the perspective of older people and their carers. Understanding transition types and their features can assist health professionals to better target strategies within and across the system and improve patient experiences as a whole.
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View more >Purpose The purpose of the paper is to examine the care transitions of older people who transfer between home, acute and sub-acute care to determine if there were common transition types and areas for improvements. Design/methodology/approach A longitudinal case study design was used to examine care transitions of 19 older people and their carers as a series of transitions and a whole-of-system experience. Case study accounts synthesising semi-structured interviews with function and service use data from medical records were compared. Findings Three types of care transitions were derived from the analysis: manageable, unstable and disrupted. Each type had distinguishing characteristics and older people could experience elements of all types across the system. Transition types varied according to personal and systemic factors. Originality/value This study identifies types of care transition experiences across acute, sub-acute and primary care from the perspective of older people and their carers. Understanding transition types and their features can assist health professionals to better target strategies within and across the system and improve patient experiences as a whole.
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Journal Title
Journal of Integrated Care
Volume
26
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© Emerald Publishing Limited
1476-9018
Access to this document was granted through an Emerald subscription provided by emeraldsrm:330691 []
Subject
Policy and administration
Policy and administration not elsewhere classified
Australia
Older people
Care transitions
Case study design
Sub-acute care