Continuity of Care for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes from the Perspective of Nurses : Cross-Sectional Study
Sikiö, Riikka; Vuori-Peurala, Maria (2023)
2023
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023102828095
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023102828095
Tiivistelmä
Continuity of care is essential in the management of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. With appropriate continuum in care, it is possible to achieve higher quality in care, which benefits both individuals and health care providers. By strengthening and investing in processes and development of primary care actions it is possible to have a positive impact on the care of patients with chronic conditions. Identifying different aspects of continuity of care enables to target implementation of development actions that are needed on an organizational level.
The purpose of this cross-sectional, quantitative study was to describe nurses´ perspective to continuity of care for patients with type 2 diabetes. The study aimed to increase knowledge on how nurses working in primary care general practice perceive continuity of care for patients with type 2 diabetes. The sample group consisted of nurses working in primary care in one big city in Finland, who see type 2 diabetes patients regularly. The data was collected with an online questionnaire and was analyzed quantitatively.
Results demonstrate that longitudinal continuity seems to be implemented in line with national recommendations. Relational continuity appears to be achieved well from the perspective of nurses as they experience having enough time for patients and information on patients, and consultations with patients are easy to arrange. Informational continuity could benefit from deepening understanding of the possible existing challenges. Within this context, it seems that quality of recording is at a good level, but individual care plans might not be easily available for nurses. On team continuity, the results highlight gaps in delivering consistent advice and the lack of valid care plans for type 2 diabetes patients. Concerning cross-boundary continuity, the experience about coordination between primary care and specialized care is influenced by nurses’ age and working experience.
As the number of type 2 diabetes patients is rising and the need for continuity of care is generally recognized, it is proposed to further invest to the care and continuity of care provided by nurses in primary care, especially at the organizational level, through the provision of integrated resources, training and practices. Further research is needed to deepen understanding about the implementation of different dimensions of continuity of care. To enable generalizability, it would be necessary to implement more quantitative studies with larger data collection.
The purpose of this cross-sectional, quantitative study was to describe nurses´ perspective to continuity of care for patients with type 2 diabetes. The study aimed to increase knowledge on how nurses working in primary care general practice perceive continuity of care for patients with type 2 diabetes. The sample group consisted of nurses working in primary care in one big city in Finland, who see type 2 diabetes patients regularly. The data was collected with an online questionnaire and was analyzed quantitatively.
Results demonstrate that longitudinal continuity seems to be implemented in line with national recommendations. Relational continuity appears to be achieved well from the perspective of nurses as they experience having enough time for patients and information on patients, and consultations with patients are easy to arrange. Informational continuity could benefit from deepening understanding of the possible existing challenges. Within this context, it seems that quality of recording is at a good level, but individual care plans might not be easily available for nurses. On team continuity, the results highlight gaps in delivering consistent advice and the lack of valid care plans for type 2 diabetes patients. Concerning cross-boundary continuity, the experience about coordination between primary care and specialized care is influenced by nurses’ age and working experience.
As the number of type 2 diabetes patients is rising and the need for continuity of care is generally recognized, it is proposed to further invest to the care and continuity of care provided by nurses in primary care, especially at the organizational level, through the provision of integrated resources, training and practices. Further research is needed to deepen understanding about the implementation of different dimensions of continuity of care. To enable generalizability, it would be necessary to implement more quantitative studies with larger data collection.