Older adults’ perceptions and experiences of interprofessional communication as part of the delivery of integrated care in the primary healthcare sector: a meta-ethnography of qualitative studies

Abstract

Background Communication between patients and healthcare providers, and efective interprofessional communication, are essential to the provision of high-quality care. Implementing a patient-centred approach may lead to patients experiencing a sense of comfort, validation, and active participation in own healthcare. However, home-dwelling older adults’ perspectives on interprofessional communication (IPC) are lacking. The aim is therefore to explore how home-dwelling older adults experience communication in connection with the delivery of integrated care.

Methods The meta-synthesis was conducted in line with Noblit and Hare’s seven phases of meta-ethnography. A systematic literature search was conducted by two university librarians in seven databases using the search terms ‘older adults’, ‘communication’, ‘integrated care’ and‘primary care’. All articles were reviewed by two authors independently. 11 studies were included for analysis.

Results Older adults are aware of IPC and have preferences regarding how it is conducted. Three main themes were identifed in the reciprocal analysis: (1) Inconsistent care perceived as lack of IPC, (2) individual preferences regarding involvement and awareness of IPC and (3) lack of IPC may trigger negative feelings.

Conclusions This meta-ethnography shows the perspective of older adults on IPC as part of integrated care. Our study shows that older adults are concerned about whether healthcare personnel talk to each other or not and recognise IPC as fundamental in providing consistent care. The perspectives of older adults are relevant for clinicians and politicians, as well as researchers, when developing and implementing future integrated care services for homedwelling older adults.