Primary care managers’ perceptions of their capability in providing care planning to patients with complex needs
Journal article, 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate primary care managers’ perceptions of their capability in providing care planning to patients with complex needs. Care planning is defined as a process where the patient, family and health professionals engage in dialogue about the patient's care needs and plan care interventions together. Methods Semi-structured interviews with 18 primary care managers in western Sweden were conducted using Westrin's theoretical cooperation model. Data were analysed using a qualitative deductive method. Main findings Results reveal that the managers’ approach to care planning was dominated by non-cooperation and separation. The managers were permeated by uncertainty about the meaning of the task of care planning as such. They did not seem to be familiar with the national legislation stipulating that every healthcare provider must meet patients’ need for care interventions and participate in the care planning. Implications for practice To accomplish care planning, the process needs to cross – and overcome – both professional and organisational boundaries. There is also a need for incentives to develop working methods that promote local cooperation in order to facilitate optimal care for patients with complex needs.

Primary care managers

Care planning

Inter-organisational cooperation

Complex care needs

Author

Lena Gunvor Larsson

University of Gothenburg

Närhälsan Research and Development Primary Health Care

Närhälsan Kungshamn Health Centre

Siv Bäck-Pettersson

Närhälsan Research and Development Primary Health Care

Sven Kylén

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Service Management and Logistics

Närhälsan Research and Development Primary Health Care

Bertil Marklund

Närhälsan Research and Development Primary Health Care

University of Gothenburg

Eric Carlström

University of Gothenburg

Health Policy

01688510 (ISSN) 18726054 (eISSN)

Vol. 121 1 58-65

Subject Categories

Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy

Nursing

Social Work

DOI

10.1016/j.healthpol.2016.11.010

PubMed

27890393

More information

Latest update

3/21/2023