Collective Competence as an Enabler for Service Integration in Health and Social Care Services

Abstract

Purpose Fragmentation in health and social care services can result in poor access to services, lack of continuity and inadequate provision for needs. A focus on integration of services are thus suggested to prevent negative consequences of fragmentation for service recipients. There are, however, few studies that explore the competence needed for integration of services in municipal health and social care organizations. This study explores which types of competence stakeholders require and how collective competence can promote service integration. Methods This is a single-case study, and the data consist of focus group interviews and individual interviews with service recipients, family caregivers, professionals and managers. The data were analysed both inductively and deductively. Results The analysis resulted in four main themes: 1) Knowledge about individual life situations and organization and system, 2) investigation competence, 3) person-centred collaboration competence and 4) facilitating competence. The themes form the basis for a collective competence framework that can promote service integration. Conclusion As service integration involves a high degree of interlinked activities between professionals and organizational units, a collective approach to the concept of competence is presumably applicable. When service integration competence is approached as a collective attribute of a network within and between organizational units, the organization can facilitate this competence by encouraging an active exchange of knowledge between professionals. We also argue that service integration competence increases connectivity and interdependency between professionals and organizational units, and includes service recipients and family caregivers as legitimate extra-professional parts of the collaborative network.

Collective Competence as an Enable for Services Integration in Health and Social Care Services [Letter]

“…The study conducted by Therese Dwyer Løken et al aims to prevent the negative consequences of fragmentation for service recipients by exploring what types of competencies stakeholders need and how collective competencies can drive service integration. 1 However, there are several studies that explore the competencies needed for service integration in urban health and social care organizations, and we suggest Therese Dwyer Løken et al to add to the objectives of this study related to other collective competencies that can encourage service integration so as to create synergies in improving health services in both urban and rural areas.…”

“…We have read the paper by Therese Dwyer Løken et al on “Collective Competence as an Enabler for Service Integration in Health and Social Care Services”. 1 We congratulate the authors for their invaluable findings in the world of health management. Therefore, we would like to share our views on this study as well as provide input that can build on and develop this research if we wish to continue it in the future.…”

“…This study also proves that various diagnoses create complex challenges and needs, which require thorough and in-depth knowledge of all aspects of one’s life. 1 Individual-Centered Collaborative Competency. However, in order to draw the above results, it must also be ensured that health facilities report that they provide preventive health services by integrating them in curative health services by providing preventive health services as a separate unit.…”

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We have read the paper by Therese Dwyer Løken et al on "Collective Competence as an Enabler for Service Integration in Health and Social Care Services". 1 We congratulate the authors for their invaluable findings in the world of health management. Therefore, we would like to share our views on this study as well as provide input that can build on and develop this research if we wish to continue it in the future.The study conducted by Therese Dwyer Løken et al aims to prevent the negative consequences of fragmentation for service recipients by exploring what types of competencies stakeholders need and how collective competencies can drive service integration.

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Let Us Keep the Emergency Department Safe: National Disability Insurance Scheme Supports Workers’ Experiences When Supporting People with Psychosocial Disability in the Emergency Department

“…In addition, mental health training is not a requirement for NDIS support workers (nor personal assistants/care workers internationally) and psychological therapies for people with PSD are not usually provided by the NDIS [20]. Tis results in complex needs (PSD) attempting to be serviced by carers who are not required to have the skills that are needed, which creates many challenges and gaps [21], leading to layers of disadvantage for people requiring care [22].…”