Implementation of interprofessional digital communication tools in primary care for frail older adults: An interview study

Abstract

Communication and coordination between primary healthcare professionals and informal caregivers involved in the care for frail older adults is suboptimal and could benefit from interprofessional digital communication tools. Implementation in daily practice however frequently fails. We aim to identify generic barriers and facilitators experienced by healthcare professionals and informal caregivers during implementation of interprofessional communication tools to improve their long-term use. Qualitative content analysis using individual semi-structured interviews was used for evaluating three different digital communication tools used by interprofessional primary care networks for frail older adults by 28 professionals and 10 caregivers. After transcription and open coding, categories and themes were identified. Barriers and facilitators were related to: tool characteristics, context of use, involvement of professionals and caregivers. The tool improved availability, approachability and users’ involvement. The large number of digital systems professionals simultaneously use, and different work agreements hampered tool use. The tools facilitated care coordination, and professionals declared to be better informed about patients’ current situations. Overall, interprofessional digital communication tools can facilitate communication in networks for primary elderly care. However, integration between digital systems is needed to reduce the number of tools. Organizations and policy makers have an important role in realizing the tools’ long-term use.

HÄPPI – Konzeption eines Modells für die ambulante Versorgung in Deutschland

“…Bei der Anwendung von IT-Technologien bis hin zur künstlichen Intelligenz für z. B. die Organisation der Akut-und Terminsprechstunde ist die Festlegung auf Anwendungen hilfreich, weil es sonst zu einer Zersplitterung kommt [30]. Entscheidend wird auch die Ersteinschätzung ("Triage") sein, für die es Beispiele auch für eine Selbsteinschätzung gibt [31].…”

Conceptualizing Interprofessional Digital Communication and Collaboration in Health Care: Protocol for a Scoping Review

“…Within our scoping review, we focus on 1 specific part of ICC, which is characterized by the use of digital tools to support its effectiveness [9,11]. Research shows that digitally supported interprofessional communication and collaboration (DICC) lead to better division of tasks; improve the definition of responsibilities; increase the accessibility, efficiency, and safety of clinical information transfer; and partly replace timeand resource-consuming face-to-face multidisciplinary meetings [2,[12][13][14][15]. Despite the benefits, implementation of DICC is complex and challenging, with studies assessing critical factors for the successful implementation and use of DICC being scarce [16].…”

“…Efficient communication and collaboration among health care professionals are essential prerequisites for high-quality patient-centered care [ 1 ]. Among other things, this reduces readmission rates, improves patient health outcomes, increases time efficiency, partially improves clinical processes, and reduces health care costs [ 2 - 4 ].…”

The willingness and barriers to collaborate in the care of frail older adults: perspectives of primary care professionals

“…Health professionals indicate to be better informed about patients’ current situations when using digital communication tools. However, the number of digital systems professionals simultaneously use, and different work agreements hamper tool use [ 8 , 9 ]. Health professionals often have their own discipline-specific tools with varying functionalities.…”

“…It is a key challenge in general for both policy makers and healthcare professionals to create an optimized professional setting for pursuing high quality of complex primary care. For instance, policy can have a significant role in realizing the tools’ long-term use [ 9 ]. The Chronic Care Model (CCM) describes the components needed for qualitative complex chronic care and to improve patient’s outcomes.…”