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Continuity of Care for Older Adults with Chronic Illness in China: An Exploratory Study
Author(s) -
Cheng ShuLing,
Zhao JinZhi,
Bai Jinbing,
Zang XiaoYing
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/phn.12163
Subject(s) - china , continuity of care , medicine , exploratory research , gerontology , chronic disease , medline , nursing , family medicine , health care , history , sociology , archaeology , anthropology , political science , law , economics , economic growth
Objective To explore nurses' understanding of continuity of care and existing problems in implementation of continuity of care for C hinese elders with chronic illnesses. Design and Sample Cross‐sectional survey and semi‐structured interview were performed on 15 nurses and older patients and 1,902 older patients between July 2010 and February 2011. Measures Semi‐structured interview guideline and four‐section scale were used. Results The interviews showed nurses lacked knowledge of continuity of care, and nurses from small towns or rural areas had less understanding of continuity of care and discharge planning than nurses from central cities. Significant differences were found among patients located in referred areas in selection of medical institutions for treatment, suggesting older adults were more likely to choose general hospitals for treatment. Self‐reported surveys demonstrated more than 70% of hospitalized elders chose community hospitals for further recovery after discharge from general hospitals. Conclusions Chinese nurses lack knowledge of continuity of care, and significant discontinuity exists between health care provided by general hospitals, community hospitals and other institutions for elders. A further model for the development of continuity of care should be established that addresses older patients' demands and current barriers in C hina.