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. 2021 Mar 16;21(1):14.
doi: 10.5334/ijic.5577.

Bridging the Gap: A Mixed Methods Study Investigating Caregiver Integration for People with Geriatric Syndrome

Isabelle Meulenbroeks  1 , Liz Schroeder  1 , Joanne Epp  1
Affiliations

Bridging the Gap: A Mixed Methods Study Investigating Caregiver Integration for People with Geriatric Syndrome

Isabelle Meulenbroeks et al. Int J Integr Care. .

Abstract

Introduction: Transitions of care between acute hospital and community settings are points of vulnerability for people with geriatric syndrome. Routinely including informal caregivers into the transition processes may mitigate risk. Guidance for operational aspects of caregiver inclusion is currently lacking in healthcare policy and fails to address the barriers faced by caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Methods: A questionnaire and a semi-structured interview were piloted with acute care physiotherapists who facilitate patient discharge into community settings. The questionnaire was analysed using summary statistics and interviews were thematically analysed by researchers, using NVivo 12 software.

Results: Questionnaire responses indicated mixed satisfaction with current caregiver integration by the multidisciplinary team. Four themes were shaped in the interviews: inconsistent caregiver engagement, individuals working in a system, an outdated model of care, and invisible care gaps.

Discussion: Feedback loops constructed from participant questionnaires and interview responses informed the identification of barriers and solutions. These are system wide and address automated integration, cultural shift, reimbursement models, and flexible structures to enhance informal caregiver participation. Future research is urgently required to translate, implement, and evaluate enhanced caregiver integration to ensure sustainable, person-centred healthcare delivery.

Keywords: acute/subacute care; care transitions; caregiver integration; family-centred care; geriatric syndrome; physiotherapists.

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Conflict of interest statement

IM was employed part-time in a professional capacity by the participating facility, but was funded by an independent research award to conduct the study. All other authors declare that they have no competing interests. The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in, or receive funding from any organisation that would benefit from this article, and have no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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