The work of case managers as experienced by older persons (75+) with multi-morbidity – a focused ethnographyShow others and affiliations
2015 (English)In: BMC Geriatrics, E-ISSN 1471-2318, Vol. 15, article id 168Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Background
Complex health systems make it difficult for older persons (75+) with multi-morbidity to achieve continuity of care. Case management could be one way to address this difficulty. Currently, there is a need to extend the knowledge regarding case management as experienced by those utilising the services, namely older persons (75+) with multi-morbidity. The study aimed to explore older persons’ (75+) with multi-morbidity experiences of case managers.
Methods
The study design was qualitative and used a focused ethnographic approach. Data was collected through individual interviews with 13 older persons and by participant observations with accompanying field notes, all conducted in 2012–2013.
Results
The data revealed four themes illustrating the older persons’ experiences of case managers:
1) Someone providing me with a trusting relationship; 2) Someone assisting me; 3) Someone who is on my side; and 4) Someone I do not need at present.
Conclusions
This study illustrates the importance of establishing trusting relationships between older persons and their case managers in order to truly provide assistance. The older persons valued the case managers acting as informed but unbiased facilitators. The findings could be of help in the development of case management interventions better designed for older persons with multi-morbidity.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
BioMed Central, 2015. Vol. 15, article id 168
Keywords [en]
Aged, Case management, Comorbidity, Continuity of patient care, Delivery of health care, Ethnography, Intervention, Multi-morbidity, Qualitative research
National Category
Nursing
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:rkh:diva-2616DOI: 10.1186/s12877-015-0172-3PubMedID: 26675288OAI: oai:DiVA.org:rkh-2616DiVA, id: diva2:1245046
2015-12-182018-09-042024-07-04Bibliographically approved