‘Mutual aid’ beyond formal institutions: Integrated home care in Japan

Abstract

The Japanese government has promoted the development of a home care system that integrates the provision of health and social care services and links formal and informal care. Yet the coordination of different forms of care faces a number of challenges. This article introduces a micro-sociological approach focusing on the relevance of ‘mutual aid’ in local communities as a guide to practical action. The article explores interactions, communication and coordination in multidisciplinary care delivery using a qualitative approach focusing on a region of the country with advanced integrated home care as a case study. The findings highlight the relevance of ‘mutual aid’ for integrated home care. The article concludes that health policy needs to establish incentives that enable collaboration across the formal–informal division of care.