Assessment of older persons with multimorbidity in Norwegian primary care: a qualitative study of healthcare professionals’ experiences and preferences in fostering continuity of care
2024

Assessing Older Patients with Multiple Health Issues in Norwegian Primary Care

Sample size: 17 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Aarønes Turid Rimereit, Taraldsen Kristin, Kvæl Linda Aimée Hartford

Primary Institution: OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University

Hypothesis

How do healthcare professionals perceive the role of assessments in promoting care continuity for older patients with multimorbidity?

Conclusion

Healthcare professionals believe that assessments are essential for ensuring continuity of care for older patients with multiple health conditions.

Supporting Evidence

  • Healthcare professionals emphasized the importance of understanding patients' values and needs beyond their diagnoses.
  • Assessments were viewed as crucial for fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and ensuring continuity of care.
  • Challenges such as fragmented services and limited resources were identified as barriers to effective assessments.

Takeaway

This study shows that healthcare workers think it's really important to understand older patients' needs beyond just their medical problems to help them get better care.

Methodology

Qualitative study using semi-structured focus group and individual interviews with healthcare professionals.

Potential Biases

Potential bias from healthcare leaders recruiting participants may have influenced the diversity of perspectives.

Limitations

The study's findings may not be generalizable due to the small sample size and the fact that all participants were female.

Participant Demographics

Participants included 17 healthcare professionals, primarily female, with various roles such as nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists, averaging 38 years old.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/s12913-024-12185-4

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