Implementing a Care Pathway for Complex Chronic Patients from a Nursing Perspective: A Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Practice
• Chronic Disease Management

Background:

• Care pathways aim to improve decision-making and organization for complex chronic patients.
• Health professionals are crucial for the success of care pathways.
• Understanding nurse perspectives is vital for pathway optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nurses' opinions on a complex chronic patient care pathway.
• To evaluate the pathway's impact three years post-implementation.

Main Methods:

• The study involved thirteen nurses with diverse roles in the care pathway.
• Semi-structured interviews were conducted.
• Thematic content analysis was used to analyze interview data.

Main Results:

• Nurses positively valued the pathway for patient, caregiver, and administrative benefits.
• Identified strengths included improved patient care and professional administration.
• Concerns were raised about inter-professional communication, coordination, teamwork, and resource availability.

Conclusions:

• The care pathway is generally well-received but requires improvements in communication and resource allocation.
• Addressing identified weaknesses is essential for ensuring continuity and quality of care.
• Ongoing evaluation of facilitators and barriers is recommended for sustained success.