Creating a successful health pathway to support the integration of patient care. Issue 2 (20th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chow, Josephine S.F.; Gonzalez-Arce, Veronica Eugenia; Tam, Chun Wah Michael; Warner, Kerry; Maurya, Nutan; Mcdougall, Alan
• Is Part Of: Journal of integrated care. Volume 28:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 171
• Page End: 182
• Publication Date: 2019-12-20
• Subjects: Partnership working -- Care partnerships -- Integrated pathways -- Integrated care; Integrated delivery of health care -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Community health services -- Great Britain -- Periodicals
• DOI: 10.1108/JICA-08-2019-0039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-9018

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: HealthPathways (HPW) is an online health information portal which provides general practitioners (GPs), guidance on the assessment, management and referral of a range of conditions linked to local resources. However, there is a lack of understanding of the acceptance of pathways within primary health. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach: This qualitative study identified baseline factors that promote the successful implementation of HPW in a major local health district (LHD) in Australia. The development, implementation and acceptance of Diabetes HPW were evaluated. A total of 16 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 stakeholders and 4 GPs. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed and analyzed qualitatively using a thematic analysis approach. Findings: Four major themes were identified that promote the integration of care in the region through utilizing HPW: engagement, sustainability, transparency and accountability. Several factors identified as "enablers" or "barriers" are described at micro and macro levels of the healthcare system. Originality/value: By combining the perspectives of both stakeholders and end-users, this qualitative evaluation of the localized HPW has identified relational and structural factors that promote the successful implementation of HPW to facilitate the integration of care in this LHD. Furthermore, this study provides other implementers with a comprehensive evaluation of the HPW development.