Developing an interprofessional people-centred care model for home-living older people with multimorbidities in a primary care health centre: A community-based study

Heini Kari; Hanna Kortejärvi; Raisa Laaksonen

doi:10.1016/j.rcsop.2022.100114

Developing an interprofessional people-centred care model for home-living older people with multimorbidities in a primary care health centre: A community-based study

Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2022 Feb 5:5:100114. doi: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2022.100114. eCollection 2022 Mar.

Authors

Heini Kari¹, Hanna Kortejärvi², Raisa Laaksonen¹

Affiliations

¹ Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E (P.O.Box 56), 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
² Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Viikinkaari 5 E (P.O.Box 56), 00014, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

Abstract

Background: The ageing population with multiple conditions and complex health needs has forced healthcare systems to rethink the optimal way of delivering services. Instead of trying to manage numerous diseases in a siloed approach, the emphasis should be on people-centred practice, in which healthcare services are tailored to people's needs and provided in partnership with them.

Objective: The aim was to develop an interprofessional people-centred care model (PCCM), including the contribution of a clinically trained pharmacist for home-living multimorbid older people in primary care.

Methods: Participatory action research method, including the active involvement of healthcare professionals, was utilised to develop the PCCM in a public health centre in Finland. The data comprised interview transcripts, workshop materials, field notes, surveys, and memos and were analysed using inductive content analysis.

Results: The PCCM was developed in iterative phases, including planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. The PCCM comprised: 1) A self-management evaluation questionnaire sent before a home visit; 2) A person-centred patient interview at home with a named nurse and a pharmacist; 3) A nurse-led health review and a pharmacist-led clinical medication review; 4) An interprofessional (a GP, a pharmacist and a named nurse) case conference meeting; 5) A care plan, including health and medication plans; and 6) Health support and empowerment interventions. The PCCM shifted working practices in the health centre from parallel and consultative practice towards interprofessional people-centred practice and more holistic care. The patient's active involvement in their own care was encouraged. Healthcare professionals appreciated the advantages of the new skill-mix, including the clinically trained pharmacist. Building trust among healthcare professionals and between the professionals and the patients was essential.

Conclusion: The successfully developed PCCM improved holistic and more people-centred care in primary care. Healthcare professionals appreciated the advantages of the skill mix and found that trust was essential for implementing the PCCM.

Keywords: Clinical pharmacy; Interprofessional collaboration; Older people; Participatory action research; People-centred care; Primary healthcare.