1. Codesigning a Community Health Navigator program to assist patients to transition from hospital to community.
- Author
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Harris, Mark F., Tran, An, Porwal, Mamta, Aslani, Parisa, Cullen, John, Brown, Anthony, Harris, Elizabeth, Harris-Roxas, Ben, Doolan-Noble, Fiona, Javanparast, Sara, Wright, Michael, Osborne, Richard, and Osten, Regina
- Subjects
PATIENT education ,PATIENT compliance ,HEALTH services accessibility ,OCCUPATIONAL roles ,RESEARCH funding ,QUALITATIVE research ,EVALUATION of human services programs ,INTERVIEWING ,PILOT projects ,RESPONSIBILITY ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,DISCHARGE planning ,PROBLEM solving ,PATIENT-centered care ,TRANSITIONAL care ,INFORMATION needs ,ADULT education workshops ,PHYSICIAN-patient relations ,PROFESSIONAL employee training ,COMMUNITY health workers ,DATA analysis software ,SOCIAL support ,DRUGS ,PSYCHOSOCIAL factors ,PATIENTS' attitudes - Abstract
Background: This study aimed to identify the potential roles for Community Health Navigators (CHNs) in addressing problems faced by patients on discharge from hospital to the community, and attitudes and factors which may influence their adoption. Methods: Twenty-six qualitative interviews and an online codesign workshop were conducted with patients, nurses, general practice staff, health service managers, community health workers, general practitioners, medical specialists, and pharmacists in the Sydney Local Health District. Qualitative themes from the interviews and workshop transcripts were analysed inductively and subsequently grouped according to a socio-ecological model. Results: CHNs could assist patients to navigate non-clinical problems experienced by patients on discharge through assessing needs, establishing trust, providing social and emotional support that is culturally and linguistically appropriate, engaging family and carers, supporting medication adherence, and helping to arrange and attend follow up health and other appointments. Important factors for the success of the CHNs in the performance and sustainability of their roles were the need to establish effective communication and trust with other healthcare team members, be accepted by patients, have access to information about referral and support services, receive formal recognition of their training and experience, and be supported by appropriate supervision. Conclusions: This study was unique in exploring the potential role of CHNs in addressing problems faced by patients on discharge from Australian hospitals and the factors influencing their adoption. It informed training and supervision needs and further research to evaluate CHNs' effectiveness and the acceptance of their role within the healthcare team. Community health workers have been demonstrated in overseas research to play a key role in supporting patients to prevent hospital readmission. This role is now emerging in Australia especially for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. This study identifies the key potential roles in the Australian context and the training and supervision required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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