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The Over 75 Service: Continuity of integrated care for older people in a United Kingdom primary care setting

MacInnes, Julie, Baldwin, Julia, Billings, Jenny R. (2020) The Over 75 Service: Continuity of integrated care for older people in a United Kingdom primary care setting. International Journal of Integrated Care, 20 (3). ISSN 1476-9018. E-ISSN 2042-8685. (doi:10.5334/ijic.5457) (KAR id:81540)

Abstract

Continuity of care is concerned with quality of care over a period of time. It describes a process by which service users and their families are co-operatively involved with health and social care professionals in managing their care needs. Continuity of care can be divided into informational, managerial and relational and has been associated with improved user- and service-related outcomes. To date, there have been few studies which examine how continuity of care is developed and maintained in integrated primary care systems. This paper explores continuity of care in an integrated Over 75 Service for people living at home with complex health and social care needs. Using a case study approach, qualitative data was collected from multiple sources including interviews with managers and professionals, users and carers, care plans, steering group minutes and field notes. Data was analysed thematically. A number of factors are identified which characterise continuity of care, namely: information sharing through direct communication between providers and the development of trusted relationships within the team; identified care co-ordinators who acted as a conduit for information and communication; the development of ongoing relationships with users and carers requiring dedicated time and accessible and flexible services delivered in the users’ own home.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.5334/ijic.5457
Uncontrolled keywords: Integrated Care; Primary Care; Frailty; Older People; Continuity of Care
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Depositing User: Meg Dampier
Date Deposited: 05 Jun 2020 12:02 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Dec 2022 00:17 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/81540 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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