What happens to quality in integrated homecare? A 15-year follow-up study

Soili Paljärvi; Sari Rissanen; Sirkka Sinkkonen; Leo Paljärvi

doi:10.5334/ijic.571

What happens to quality in integrated homecare? A 15-year follow-up study

International Journal of Integrated Care

Volume 11 (2011): Issue 2

By: Soili Paljärvi, Sari Rissanen, Sirkka Sinkkonen and Leo Paljärvi

Open Access

|Jun 2011

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the impact of structural integration on homecare quality.

Methods: A case study in an organisation comprising a before-after comparison with baseline and four follow-up measurements during 1994-2009, using interviews with clients (n=66-84) and postal inquiries to relatives (n=73-78) and staff (n=68-136).

Results: Despite the organisational reform involving extensive mergers of health and social care organisations and cuts in staff and service provision, homecare quality remained at almost the same level throughout the 15-year follow-up. According to the clients, it even slightly improved in some homecare areas.

Conclusions: The results show that despite the structural integration and cuts in staff and service provision, the quality of homecare remained at a good level. Assuming that the potential confounders did have inhibiting effects, the results suggest that structural integration had a positive impact on homecare quality. To obtain firmer evidence to support this tentative conclusion, further research with a randomised comparison design is needed.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.571 | Journal eISSN: 1568-4156

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Language: English

Published on: Jun 15, 2011

Published by: Igitur publishing

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

Keywords:

integrated homecare,

merger of health and social care organisations,

homecare quality,

older people

© 2011 Soili Paljärvi, Sari Rissanen, Sirkka Sinkkonen, Leo Paljärvi, published by Igitur publishing
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 11 (2011): Issue 2