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Interdisciplinary communication and collaboration as key to improved nutritional care of malnourished older adults across health‐care settings – A qualitative study
- Source :
- Health Expectations, Health Expectations, 23(5), 1096-1107, Health Expectations : An International Journal of Public Participation in Health Care and Health Policy, Health Expectations 23 (2020) 5
- Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Background Malnutrition is a risk factor for impaired functionality and independence. For optimal treatment of malnourished older adults (OA), close collaboration and communication between all stakeholders involved (OA, their caregivers and health‐care and welfare professionals) is important. This qualitative study assesses current collaboration and communication in nutritional care over the continuum of health‐care settings and provides recommendations for improvement. Methods Eleven structured focus group interviews and five individual interviews took place in three regions across the Netherlands from November 2017 until February 2018, including OA, caregivers and health‐care and welfare professionals. Various aspects of collaboration and communication between all stakeholders were discussed. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using a thematic approach. Results Six main themes emerged: causes of malnutrition, knowledge and awareness, recognition and diagnosis of malnutrition, communication, accountability and food preparation and supply. Physical and social aspects were recognized as important risk factors for malnutrition. Knowledge and awareness regarding malnutrition were acknowledged as being insufficient among all involved. This may impair timely recognition and diagnosis. Responsibility for nutritional care and its communication to other disciplines are low. Food preparation and supply in hospitals, rehabilitation centres and home care are below expected standards. Conclusion Many stakeholders are involved in nutritional care of OA, and lack of communication and collaboration hinders continuity of nutritional care over health‐care settings. Lack of knowledge is an important risk factor. Establishing one coordinator of nutritional care is suggested to improve collaboration and communication across health‐care settings.
- Subjects :
- interdisciplinary communication
medicine.medical_treatment
malnutrition
elderly
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Nursing
Health care
medicine
Humans
Transitional care
030212 general & internal medicine
Qualitative Research
Aged
VLAG
Rehabilitation
business.industry
transitional care
030503 health policy & services
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Risk factor (computing)
Focus Groups
medicine.disease
Focus group
Home Care Services
Nutritional Biology
Original Research Paper
Malnutrition
Accountability
0305 other medical science
Psychology
business
Original Research Papers
continuity of patient care
Qualitative research
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 13696513
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Health Expectations, Health Expectations, 23(5), 1096-1107, Health Expectations : An International Journal of Public Participation in Health Care and Health Policy, Health Expectations 23 (2020) 5
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....e147e6d3cd2617524a2c8d7685f2854c