Health care providers' experiences with delivering person centred care in an Integrated Care Program for thoracic surgery patients in Ontario, Canada
ISSN: 1476-9018
Article publication date: 29 April 2021
Issue publication date: 19 July 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to understand health care providers' experiences with delivering a novel Integrated Care (IC) Program that co-ordinates hospital-based clinical services and home care for thoracic surgery patients, including perceptions on the provision of person-centred care and quality of work life.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a process evaluation using qualitative methods to understand provider experiences in the Integrated Care (IC) Program and to identify areas for programme improvement. Study data were collected using a focus group with thoracic surgeons, open-ended survey with home care providers, and semi-structured interviews with lead thoracic surgeons and IC leads, who are nurses serving as the primary point of contact for one consistent care team. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings
The IC Program was successful in supporting a partnership between health care providers and patients and caregivers to deliver a comprehensive and person-centred care experience. Informational continuity between providers was facilitated by IC leads and improved over time with greater professional integration and adaptation to the new care delivery processes. Differential impacts were found on quality of work life for providers in the IC Program.
Originality/value
This study describes provider experiences with delivering integrated and person-centred care across the hospital to home continuum, which can inform future integrated care initiatives.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Conflict of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.The authors are grateful to the members of the Evaluation Working Group, which comprised of researchers, providers and patient representatives including Phyllis Berck, Lyn Gaetz, Geoff Anderson, Jose Figueroa, Pierre-Gerlier Forest, Carolyn Gosse and Andrew Boozary. The authors wish to thank the providers of the UHN IC Program who participated in this evaluation, as well as the UHN Connected Care Team for their input throughout the evaluation.Funding: The evaluation was funded by the University Health Network and Ontario Health Toronto Region. The evaluation team was external to UHN and the funders did not have any influence on the findings.
Citation
Kornas, K., O'Neill, M., Liang, C.Y., Diemert, L., Ayanian, T., Chang, M. and Rosella, L. (2021), "Health care providers' experiences with delivering person centred care in an Integrated Care Program for thoracic surgery patients in Ontario, Canada", Journal of Integrated Care, Vol. 29 No. 3, pp. 346-356. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICA-10-2020-0068
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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