International Journal of Nursing Studies
Volume 33, Issue 6 , Pages 638-650, December 1996

Coordination of care: effects on the continuity and quality of care

  • Theo Van Achterberg, M.S.N.

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence Theo van Achterberg, Department of Nursing Science, University of Limburg, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
    • At the time of the study, the first author was working at the Department of Medical Sociology of the same university.

Department of Nursing Science, University of Limburg PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Department of Medical Sociology, University of Limburg PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Department of General Practice, University of Limburg PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Institute for Revalidation Research (IRV) PO Box 192, 6430 AD, Hoensbroek, The Netherlands

Department of Medical Sociology, University of Limburg PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Received 13 November 1995; accepted 28 May 1996.

Abstract 

Chronically ill elderly clients in three communities in the Netherlands were provided with the services of care coordinators. Two studies were performed to evaluate the effects of this intervention. A study among 38 coordinators addressed the effects on the continuity of care. A second study among 72 elderly clients addressed the effects on client satisfaction. While the study among coordinators clearly revealed effects on continuity (especially for inter-personal continuity), hardly any effects on satisfaction with care were reported by clients. Therefore, the appointment of care coordinators seems valuable when aimed at increasing contunity, but other intervention can be more appropriate for the improvement of client care.

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PII: S0020-7489(96)00021-1

International Journal of Nursing Studies
Volume 33, Issue 6 , Pages 638-650, December 1996

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