Collaboration between care teams and care experts in home care nursing: A qualitative case study

Abstract

Collaboration between care teams and care experts in home care nursing: A qualitative case study Abstract: Background: As a result of demographic change and the associated ageing population, the number of people affected by multimorbidity is increasing, and with it the complexity of home care nursing. In a home care nursing service (Spitex), care teams work with employees of different levels of competence. For support in complex situations, they can seek help from nursing experts (PEX). Aim: The aim was to investigate the collaboration between the care teams and the PEX of a regional Spitex organization and to work out measures for optimization. The research question was: "How do the care teams of a regional Spitex organization experience the collaboration with the nursing experts?" Methods: A qualitative case study design with four sub-cases was used to describe in detail how collaboration with PEX is experienced. Four Focus group interviews were evaluated using content analysis and cross-case analysis. Results: The Cross-Case analysis reveals the categories for optimal collaboration: present, professionally versatile, relieving in coordination tasks, supportive in complex situations. The following categories are categorized as disruptive factors in collaboration: varying levels of commitment, collaboration low priority and confusing. Conclusions: The PEX are to be made better known through targeted information dissemination. Implications for practice include the importance of presence and mutual understanding of roles so that collaboration is experienced as added value.