How have researchers defined and used the concept of ‘continuity of care’ for chronic conditions in the context of resource-constrained settings? A scoping review of existing literature and a proposed conceptual framework
Abstract Background Within the context of the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally, there is limited evidence on how researchers have explored the response to chronic health needs in the context of health policy and systems in low- and middle-income countries. Continuity of ca...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-03-01
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| Series: | Health Research Policy and Systems |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12961-019-0426-1 |
| _version_ | 1830221429899001856 |
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| author | Lana Meiqari Tammam Al-Oudat Dirk Essink Fedde Scheele Pamela Wright |
| author_facet | Lana Meiqari Tammam Al-Oudat Dirk Essink Fedde Scheele Pamela Wright |
| author_sort | Lana Meiqari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Within the context of the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally, there is limited evidence on how researchers have explored the response to chronic health needs in the context of health policy and systems in low- and middle-income countries. Continuity of care (CoC) is one concept that represents several elements of a long-term model of care. This scoping review aims to map and describe the state of knowledge regarding how researchers in resource-constrained settings have defined and used the concept of CoC for chronic conditions in primary healthcare. Methods This scoping review adopted the modified framework for interpretive scoping literature reviews. A systematic literature search in PubMed was performed, followed by a study selection process and data extraction, analysis and synthesis. Extracted data regarding the context of using CoC and the definition of CoC were analysed inductively to identify similar patterns; based on this, articles were divided into groups. MaxQDA was then used to re-code each article with themes according to the CoC definition to perform a cross-case synthesis under each identified group. Results A total of 55 peer-reviewed articles, comprising reviews or commentaries and qualitative or quantitative studies, were included. The number of articles has increased over the years. Five groups were identified as those (1) reflecting a change across stages or systems of care, (2) mentioning continuity or lack of continuity without a detailed definition, (3) researching CoC in HIV/AIDS programmes and its scaling up to support management of NCDs, (4) researching CoC in NCD management, and (5) measuring CoC with validated questionnaires. Conclusion Research or policy documents need to provide an explicit definition of CoC when this terminology is used. A framework for CoC is suggested, acknowledging three components for CoC (i.e. longitudinal care, the nature of the patient–provider relationship and coordinated care) while considering relevant contextual factors, particularly access and quality. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T08:25:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3bb02cc61e2143018deb4aeb0eae9868 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1478-4505 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T08:25:43Z |
| publishDate | 2019-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health Research Policy and Systems |
| spelling | doaj.art-3bb02cc61e2143018deb4aeb0eae98682022-12-21T21:14:37ZengBMCHealth Research Policy and Systems1478-45052019-03-0117111410.1186/s12961-019-0426-1How have researchers defined and used the concept of ‘continuity of care’ for chronic conditions in the context of resource-constrained settings? A scoping review of existing literature and a proposed conceptual frameworkLana Meiqari0Tammam Al-Oudat1Dirk Essink2Fedde Scheele3Pamela Wright4Athena Institute for Research on Innovation and Communication in Health and Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamMédecins Sans Frontières, Operational Centre Geneva (MSF-OCG)Athena Institute for Research on Innovation and Communication in Health and Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamAthena Institute for Research on Innovation and Communication in Health and Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamGuelph International Health ConsultingAbstract Background Within the context of the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally, there is limited evidence on how researchers have explored the response to chronic health needs in the context of health policy and systems in low- and middle-income countries. Continuity of care (CoC) is one concept that represents several elements of a long-term model of care. This scoping review aims to map and describe the state of knowledge regarding how researchers in resource-constrained settings have defined and used the concept of CoC for chronic conditions in primary healthcare. Methods This scoping review adopted the modified framework for interpretive scoping literature reviews. A systematic literature search in PubMed was performed, followed by a study selection process and data extraction, analysis and synthesis. Extracted data regarding the context of using CoC and the definition of CoC were analysed inductively to identify similar patterns; based on this, articles were divided into groups. MaxQDA was then used to re-code each article with themes according to the CoC definition to perform a cross-case synthesis under each identified group. Results A total of 55 peer-reviewed articles, comprising reviews or commentaries and qualitative or quantitative studies, were included. The number of articles has increased over the years. Five groups were identified as those (1) reflecting a change across stages or systems of care, (2) mentioning continuity or lack of continuity without a detailed definition, (3) researching CoC in HIV/AIDS programmes and its scaling up to support management of NCDs, (4) researching CoC in NCD management, and (5) measuring CoC with validated questionnaires. Conclusion Research or policy documents need to provide an explicit definition of CoC when this terminology is used. A framework for CoC is suggested, acknowledging three components for CoC (i.e. longitudinal care, the nature of the patient–provider relationship and coordinated care) while considering relevant contextual factors, particularly access and quality.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12961-019-0426-1Continuity of carelong-term carechronic careresource-constrained settingprimary healthcarehealth policy and systems |
| spellingShingle | Lana Meiqari Tammam Al-Oudat Dirk Essink Fedde Scheele Pamela Wright How have researchers defined and used the concept of ‘continuity of care’ for chronic conditions in the context of resource-constrained settings? A scoping review of existing literature and a proposed conceptual framework Health Research Policy and Systems Continuity of care long-term care chronic care resource-constrained setting primary healthcare health policy and systems |
| title | How have researchers defined and used the concept of ‘continuity of care’ for chronic conditions in the context of resource-constrained settings? A scoping review of existing literature and a proposed conceptual framework |
| title_full | How have researchers defined and used the concept of ‘continuity of care’ for chronic conditions in the context of resource-constrained settings? A scoping review of existing literature and a proposed conceptual framework |
| title_fullStr | How have researchers defined and used the concept of ‘continuity of care’ for chronic conditions in the context of resource-constrained settings? A scoping review of existing literature and a proposed conceptual framework |
| title_full_unstemmed | How have researchers defined and used the concept of ‘continuity of care’ for chronic conditions in the context of resource-constrained settings? A scoping review of existing literature and a proposed conceptual framework |
| title_short | How have researchers defined and used the concept of ‘continuity of care’ for chronic conditions in the context of resource-constrained settings? A scoping review of existing literature and a proposed conceptual framework |
| title_sort | how have researchers defined and used the concept of continuity of care for chronic conditions in the context of resource constrained settings a scoping review of existing literature and a proposed conceptual framework |
| topic | Continuity of care long-term care chronic care resource-constrained setting primary healthcare health policy and systems |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12961-019-0426-1 |
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