TY - JOUR
T1 - Implementing the National Service Framework for long-term (neurological) conditions
T2 - service user and service provider experiences
AU - Sixsmith, Judith
AU - Callender, Matthew
AU - Hobbs, Georgina
AU - Corr, Susan
AU - Huber, Jörg W.
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Purpose: This research explored the experiences of service users and providers during the implementation of the National Service Framework (NSF) for Long-Term (Neurological) Conditions (LTNCs). Method: A participatory qualitative research design was employed. Data were collected using 50 semi-structured interviews with service users, 25 of whom were re-interviewed on three occasions. Forty-five semi-structured interviews were also conducted with service providers who worked with individuals with LTNCs. Interviews focused on health, well-being and quality of life in relation to service provision, access and delivery. Data were thematically analysed individually and collaboratively during two data analysis workshops. Results: Three major themes were identified that related to the implementation of the NSF: "Diagnosis and treatment", "Better connected services" and "On-going rehabilitation". Service users reported that effective care was provided when in hospital settings but such treatments often terminated on return to their communities despite on-going need. In hospital and community settings, service providers indicated that they lacked the support and resources to provide continuous care, with patients reaching a crisis point before referral to specialist care. Conclusion: This research highlighted a range of issues concerning the recent UK-drive towards patient-centred approaches within healthcare, as service users were disempowered within the LTNC care pathway. Moreover, service providers indicated that resource constraints limited their ability to provide long-term, intensive and integrated service provision.Implications for RehabilitationOur research suggests that many service users with long-term neurological conditions experienced disconnections between services within their National Service Framework care pathway.For health and social care practitioners, a lack of continuity within a care pathway was suggested to be most pertinent following immediate care and moving to rehabilitative care.Our findings also indicate that service providers lack the necessary financial resources and staffing capacity to provide on-going and comprehensive rehabilitation.This article aims to help practitioners better understand particular issues during the implementation of the National Service Framework for long-term neurological conditions from the perspectives of service users and service providers.
AB - Purpose: This research explored the experiences of service users and providers during the implementation of the National Service Framework (NSF) for Long-Term (Neurological) Conditions (LTNCs). Method: A participatory qualitative research design was employed. Data were collected using 50 semi-structured interviews with service users, 25 of whom were re-interviewed on three occasions. Forty-five semi-structured interviews were also conducted with service providers who worked with individuals with LTNCs. Interviews focused on health, well-being and quality of life in relation to service provision, access and delivery. Data were thematically analysed individually and collaboratively during two data analysis workshops. Results: Three major themes were identified that related to the implementation of the NSF: "Diagnosis and treatment", "Better connected services" and "On-going rehabilitation". Service users reported that effective care was provided when in hospital settings but such treatments often terminated on return to their communities despite on-going need. In hospital and community settings, service providers indicated that they lacked the support and resources to provide continuous care, with patients reaching a crisis point before referral to specialist care. Conclusion: This research highlighted a range of issues concerning the recent UK-drive towards patient-centred approaches within healthcare, as service users were disempowered within the LTNC care pathway. Moreover, service providers indicated that resource constraints limited their ability to provide long-term, intensive and integrated service provision.Implications for RehabilitationOur research suggests that many service users with long-term neurological conditions experienced disconnections between services within their National Service Framework care pathway.For health and social care practitioners, a lack of continuity within a care pathway was suggested to be most pertinent following immediate care and moving to rehabilitative care.Our findings also indicate that service providers lack the necessary financial resources and staffing capacity to provide on-going and comprehensive rehabilitation.This article aims to help practitioners better understand particular issues during the implementation of the National Service Framework for long-term neurological conditions from the perspectives of service users and service providers.
KW - Diagnosis and referral experiencing care
KW - Integrated service provision
KW - Long-term neurological conditions
KW - National Service Framework
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84897450078&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/5898/
U2 - 10.3109/09638288.2013.804594
DO - 10.3109/09638288.2013.804594
M3 - Article
C2 - 23786345
AN - SCOPUS:84897450078
VL - 36
SP - 563
EP - 572
JO - Disability and Rehabilitation
JF - Disability and Rehabilitation
SN - 0963-8288
IS - 7
ER -