A continuity of care integrated literature review, Part 2: Methodological issues

Abstract

Purpose: In Part 2 of this two-part series, research designs, methods, and measurement of continuity of care are explored.

Design: Qualitative, integrated literature review of a sample of 38 continuity of care nursing research article published 1990-1995.

Methods: Ganong's (1987) stages of the integrative literature research review process were followed. A data collection tool was designed and pilot tested, and rules for data analysis and interpretation were established. Research articles were systematically analyzed and reported using descriptive analysis.

Findings: Results showed few nursing models, primarily convenience sampling and nonexperimental cross-sectional study designs, varied data collection methods, and inadequate instrumentation. Measurement criteria were diverse and influenced by the perspectives of the measurer.

Conclusions: Continuity of patient care was identified as a construct comprised of many related and tangential concepts in need of more sophisticated review. Recommendations for researchers are discussed.