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Care for vulnerable elderly in MST : The preferences of primary care professionals for a diagnostic day centre in MST for vulnerable elderly patients (70+)

Geuzebroek, E.F. (2019) Care for vulnerable elderly in MST : The preferences of primary care professionals for a diagnostic day centre in MST for vulnerable elderly patients (70+).

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Abstract:The ageing population has a major impact on the Dutch healthcare system. The increasing number of elderly people in the service area of Medisch Spectrum Twente (MST) is also noticed by the hospital. Objective of MST is to determine the possibility to put a diagnostic day centre (DDC) into use. The research focusses on the preferences of the primary care professionals since they have a controlling role (over the patients in the Dutch healthcare system). The objective of the research is to substantiate how a DDC, as an innovation, can be implemented in MST, given the preferences of primary care professionals. Data of 53 primary care professionals in the service are of MST is collected by means of a survey. Also, data of three Dutch hospitals regarding their organization of geriatric care is collected. For 42% of the care needs of vulnerable elderly, there is no preferred action identified. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is a lack of direction in the current referral and consultation behaviour of primary care professionals. For 58% of the care needs the primary care professionals prefer a referral to the DDC in a future situation. For these care needs, it can be expected that they will be referred to the DDC when taken into use in MST. On top of that, for only 11% of the care needs the primary care professionals prefer the same action as in the current situation. These results confirm that there is a need for the implementation of a DDC in MST. In this research there are six factors of a DDC identified that could influence the rate of adoption, thus the decision of the primary care professional to adopt or reject a DDC (Rogers, 2003). The factors are waiting time, visits, perceived need, collaboration, referral and feedback. All factors are perceived as important by the primary care professional and should be taken into account when implementing a DDC in MST. Visits will least influence the decision of primary care professionals to adopt a DDC. Collaboration and waiting time will influence this decision the most, followed by referral and feedback. These four factors should be taken into consideration when the DDC is taken into use in MST. Collaboration between primary and secondary care, especially direct communication, is most highlighted as a precondition by both the primary care professional as by the Dutch hospitals. Short waiting times is also frequently indicated as a precondition for the implementation of a DDC in MST. On top of that, preconditions for the implementation of a DDC named are the ease of referral and clarity of feedback, which are interrelated according to the Dutch hospitals. This research concludes with a number of recommendations for MST based on the findings, which are described in a plan of action.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:44 medicine, 70 social sciences in general, 88 social and public administration
Programme:Public Administration MSc (60020)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/77938
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