Co-Creating Descriptors and a Definition for Person-Centred Coordinated Health Care: An Action Research Study.

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Patient Experience
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• Healthcare systems are often fragmented, leading to challenges in coordinated care.
• Service users' perspectives are crucial for improving healthcare delivery.
• Existing definitions of coordinated care may not fully capture patient needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To co-create a definition and generic descriptors for person-centred coordinated care in Ireland.
• To empower service users to influence health policy and practice.
• To integrate service users' narratives into the understanding of coordinated care.

Main Methods:

• Action research approach involving service users, caregivers, and representative groups.
• Qualitative data collection through focus groups and surveys.
• Thematic analysis to identify key care elements.

Main Results:

• Three major themes emerged: 'My experience of healthcare', 'Care that I am confident in', and 'My journey through healthcare'.
• These themes informed a refined definition and nineteen generic descriptors for person-centred coordinated care.
• Service users' subjective expectations are vital for care delivery in fragmented systems.

Conclusions:

• Person-centred coordinated care requires integrating service users' subjective expectations.
• Scaffolding services between care settings and disciplines is essential.
• Empowering service users through co-creation can tangibly impact health policy and practice.