Nigerian healthcare workers’ perception of transdisciplinary approach to older adults’ care: A qualitative case study

Abstract

Introduction There is a growing interest in collaborative care for older adults in Nigeria; however, little is known about the application of a transdisciplinary approach to care in a typical Nigerian geriatric unit. Therefore, we described healthcare professionals’ (HCPs’) perception of a transdisciplinary approach to older adults’ care in Southern Nigeria. Methods Using Stakian’s approach to a qualitative case study, we purposively invited 16 HCPs working in the geriatric unit of a teaching hospital in Nigeria to a single, in-depth, semi-structured interview. We analysed data using Stakian’s approach of categorical aggregation and direct interpretation. Results Our participants identified five-key features of a transdisciplinary approach to care: consolidated consultation, consolidated care documentation, care files accessibility, shared care decision and a designated care manager. HCPs stated that transdisciplinary approach to care allowed for a consolidated consultation of patients, with all the HCPs (in the same room or via telehealth/telemedicine) and care decisions should be shared between all stakeholders and documented in an accessible unified electronic care document that is managed by a care manager. Factors ranging from lack of consensus on time for a consolidation consultation to inter-professional conflicts were perceived as possible hindrances to a transdisciplinary approach to older adults’ care. Discussion The features of transdisciplinary care described in this study partly aligned with the WHO’s integrated care for older people (ICOPE). Additional components not captured in ICOPE were found. While the description of transdisciplinary was from the perceptive of our study participant, caution should be applied when interpreting these findings.