Dataset Information

A qualitative study of socially isolated patients' perceptions of primary care.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although the previous quantitative study revealed that social isolation was negatively associated with patient experience of primary care, the underlying reasons for this phenomenon remain unclear. In the present study, we aimed to explore the reasons underlying the influence of social isolation on patient experience in the primary care setting.

Methods

This study was a qualitative study and part of a mixed methods research. Semistructured telephone interviews were performed. We recruited participants among eligible participants in the previous quantitative survey who were classified as being socially isolated. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically by two independent researchers until saturation was reached.

Results

Eight socially isolated patients in the research were interviewed. In the thematic analysis, three major themes emerged as reasons underlying the influence of social isolation on patient experience of primary care: restriction of information about local primary care physicians, finding a usual primary care physician haphazardly, and superficial relationship with a usual primary care physician.

Conclusions

This study identified three major themes, which are beneficial to expand our understanding of socially isolated patients' perceptions of primary care. These findings can be used to improve patient experience of primary care in socially isolated patients.

SUBMITTER: Aoki T

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6732495 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

A qualitative study of socially isolated patients' perceptions of primary care.

Aoki Takuya T Urushibara-Miyachi Yuka Y

Journal of general and family medicine 20190520 5

<h4>Background</h4>Although the previous quantitative study revealed that social isolation was negatively associated with patient experience of primary care, the underlying reasons for this phenomenon remain unclear. In the present study, we aimed to explore the reasons underlying the influence of social isolation on patient experience in the primary care setting.<h4>Methods</h4>This study was a qualitative study and part of a mixed methods research. Semistructured telephone interviews were perf ...[more]

PMID: 31516804

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Project description:BackgroundIn-hospital medication reviews are regularly performed. However, discontinuity in care could occur because secondary care providers lack insight into the outpatient history. Furthermore, for the implementation or follow-up of some medication review-based interventions, the help of primary care providers is essential. This requires interprofessional collaboration between secondary and primary care. Therefore, the aim of this qualitative study was to gain insight into the perceptions of primary and secondary care providers on interprofessional collaboration on medication reviews in hospitalised patients.MethodsTen face-to-face semi-structured interviews and three focus group discussions were conducted with 20 healthcare providers from three hospitals and community health services. The interviews were aimed at exploring general practitioners', community pharmacists', geriatricians', and hospital pharmacists' experiences, attitudes, and views of interprofessional collaboration. Focus groups consisted of representatives of all professional groups. Through group discussion, interprofessional collaboration was explored by addressing three main questions: 1) What are the benefits of in-hospital medication reviews? 2) What are the barriers to in-hospital medication reviews from an interprofessional collaboration perspective? 3) Given the barriers mentioned, how should this interprofessional collaboration between primary and secondary care be designed? Data were analysed using a thematic-content approach.ResultsThe need for in-hospital medication reviews was underlined due to their many benefits, such as reducing potentially preventable re-admissions. Barriers regarding interprofessional collaboration between primary and secondary care can be subdivided into three main themes: 1) defining in-hospital medication reviews (e.g., lack of clear goals), 2) execution of medication reviews (e.g., hospital setting is dynamic), and 3) follow-up after discharge (e.g., unclear instructions). Care providers suggested solutions for each of the barriers mentioned, for example, by using supportive staff in order to overcome the gap between primary and secondary care providers and making clear agreements on proper means of communication.ConclusionPrimary and secondary care providers recognise the importance of in-hospital medication reviews and the need for interprofessional collaboration. To create satisfying interprofessional collaboration, conditions should be met on defining in-hospital medication reviews across settings and involving both primary and secondary care providers in implementing medication reviews and organising their follow-up.

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Dataset Information

A qualitative study of socially isolated patients' perceptions of primary care.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

A qualitative study of socially isolated patients' perceptions of primary care.

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