Out of sight, out of mind? A qualitative study of patients' perspectives on cross-border healthcare in a European border region

Abstract

Objective: To improve our understanding of patients' needs in cross-border healthcare, with a specific focus on handover.

Methods: In this qualitative study, we conducted narrative interviews with 8 patients who had experienced cross-border healthcare, including handover. Based on an inductive analysis, we crafted stories representing participants' perspectives. Crafted stories attend to the personal character of patients' experiences.

Results: We crafted 3 stories relating patients' cross-border healthcare pathways. We identified 3 recurring issues in these stories: (1) Patient involvement in the decision-making process regarding their healthcare; (2) Communication with their healthcare providers; and (3) Information throughout the healthcare process.

Conclusion: The said issues, albeit no novelty in healthcare, seem to be amplified by cross-border barriers, such as system, language, and cultural differences. To empower patients to be involved in their own healthcare process, these issues should become a topic of conversation between patients and healthcare professionals.

Practice implications: The patient stories in this article could help raise awareness among professionals and patients about the issues patients face in cross-border healthcare. Awareness is a first step in overcoming these issues.

Keywords: Cross-border healthcare; European healthcare; Patient involvement; Patient perspectives; Qualitative research.