UNDERSTANDING FACILITATORS AND BARRIERS TO CARE TRANSITIONS: PATIENT AND CAREGIVER PERSPECTIVE

• Published in: Innovation in aging Vol. 2; no. suppl_1; p. 203
• Main Authors: Mitchell, S, Hirschman, K B, Laurens, V, Martin Howard, J, Davis, T C, Li, J, Williams, M V, Jack, B W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 11.11.2018
• Subjects: Abstracts
• ISSN: 2399-5300; 2399-5300
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.744

To gain a better understanding of the patient and caregiver experience during care transitions and to describe the desired outcomes of transitions in care, 138 patients and 110 family caregivers participated in focus groups or interviews at six health networks across the U.S. Principles of grounded theory were used to analyze transcripts. Overall, patients and caregivers preferences were to: (1) feel prepared and capable of implementing the care plan, (2) know who was accountable for their care, and (3) feel cared for/about by medical providers. Five care transitional care elements were linked to achieving the preferred outcomes: a) providing actionable information; b) collaborative discharge planning; c) using empathic language and gestures; d) anticipating the patient’s needs to support self-care at home, and e) providing uninterrupted care with minimal handoffs. Clear accountability, care continuity and caring attitudes across the care continuum are important outcomes for patients and caregivers.