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Quality assurance as a foundational element for an integrated system of dementia care

Quality assurance as a foundational element for an integrated system of dementia care PurposeMany countries are developing primary care collaborative memory clinics (PCCMCs) to address the rising challenge of dementia. Previous research suggests that quality assurance should be a foundational element of an integrated system of dementia care. The purpose of this paper is to understand physicians’ and specialists’ perspectives on such a system and identify barriers to its implementation.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used interviews and a constructivist framework to understand the perspectives on a quality assurance framework for dementia care and barriers to its implementation from ten primary care and ten specialist physicians affiliated with PCCMCs.FindingsInterviewees found that the framework reflects quality dementia care, though most could not relate quality assurance to clinical practice. Quality assurance was viewed as an imposition on practitioners rather than as a measure of system integration. Disparities in resources among providers were seen as barriers to quality care. Greater integration with specialists was seen as a potential quality improvement mechanism. Standardized electronic medical records were seen as important to support both quality assurance and clinical care.Practical implicationsThis work identified several challenges to the implementation of a quality assurance framework to support an integrated system of dementia care. Clinicians require education to better understand quality assurance. Additional challenges include inadequate resources, a need for closer collaboration between specialists and PCCMCs, and a need for a standardized electronic medical record.Originality/valueGreater health system integration is necessary to provide quality dementia care, and quality assurance could be considered a foundational element driving system integration. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance Emerald Publishing

Quality assurance as a foundational element for an integrated system of dementia care

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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © Emerald Group Publishing Limited
ISSN
0952-6862
DOI
10.1108/IJHCQA-07-2018-0187
Publisher site
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Abstract

PurposeMany countries are developing primary care collaborative memory clinics (PCCMCs) to address the rising challenge of dementia. Previous research suggests that quality assurance should be a foundational element of an integrated system of dementia care. The purpose of this paper is to understand physicians’ and specialists’ perspectives on such a system and identify barriers to its implementation.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used interviews and a constructivist framework to understand the perspectives on a quality assurance framework for dementia care and barriers to its implementation from ten primary care and ten specialist physicians affiliated with PCCMCs.FindingsInterviewees found that the framework reflects quality dementia care, though most could not relate quality assurance to clinical practice. Quality assurance was viewed as an imposition on practitioners rather than as a measure of system integration. Disparities in resources among providers were seen as barriers to quality care. Greater integration with specialists was seen as a potential quality improvement mechanism. Standardized electronic medical records were seen as important to support both quality assurance and clinical care.Practical implicationsThis work identified several challenges to the implementation of a quality assurance framework to support an integrated system of dementia care. Clinicians require education to better understand quality assurance. Additional challenges include inadequate resources, a need for closer collaboration between specialists and PCCMCs, and a need for a standardized electronic medical record.Originality/valueGreater health system integration is necessary to provide quality dementia care, and quality assurance could be considered a foundational element driving system integration.

Journal

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance – Emerald Publishing

Published: Jul 8, 2019

References

  • A systematic review of transitional-care strategies to reduce rehospitalization in patients with heart failure
  • Characteristics of primary care practices associated with high quality of care
  • Using thematic analysis in psychology
  • Effectiveness of collaborative care for older adults with Alzheimer disease in primary care: a randomized controlled trial
  • Verdict still out on family health teams
  • Is geriatric care associated with less emergency department use?