Barriers for Inter-Organisational Collaboration: What Matters for an Integrated Care Programme?

Introduction: Inter-organisational collaboration is challenging but essential in managing the complex and comprehensive needs of frail older people. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the influence of different barriers to inter-organisational collaboration when implementing an integrated care programme. The aim of this study was to investigate both inpatient and outpatient staff views on the factors they deemed to be influential to inter-organisational collaboration for an integrated care programme.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study and included staff from hospitals, primary care and municipal health and social care.

Results: There were no significant differences between staff from inpatient and outpatient care in measuring factors that may cause difficulties for inter-organisational collaboration. Staff views diverged significantly on all factors, such as educational level at long physical distances, laws and regulations, knowledge of each others work settings, experience from inter-organisational collaboration, different professions, variations in professional status and power, psychosocial factors such as positive work environment and interpersonal chemistry.

Discussion: A multidisciplinary team culture and avenues for inter-organisational collaboration need to be developed for improved care continuity.

Conclusion: The staffs’ educational level influenced what was perceived as barriers to inter-organisational collaboration, and may guide future development of integrated care programmes.