Purpose: Present the results of an exploratory study which aimed to identify the attributes of relational continuity as conceived by
the actors involved in the organization of services to frail older people.
Theory: The lengthening of the duration of life with autonomy loss warrants a transformation of the response to the needs of older
people. The organization of services must evolve from a hospital-centered model to a residence-centered model better adapted
to long-term care. This refocus on residential care provokes a multiplication of service providers which must be coordinated
to ensure continuity of care [1]. Amongst the three forms of continuity (informational, management and relational) [2], relational continuity appears as the least documented and most difficult to measure.
Methods: Twenty-seven interviews with practitioners, managers, family caregivers and users were conducted and analysed using a content
analysis approach.
Results and conclusions: While the family caregivers and users stressed the psycho-affective nature of the care relationship, the practitioners viewed
it as a means to ensure the adequacy of services. From the user's viewpoint, the relationship is not the responsibility of
one professional, but of a collective effort that may carry his voice across the services organization.
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1.
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Framework for the evaluation of the quality of care and services provided to vulnerable elder persons. In: Integrated service delivery to ensure persons' functional autonomy. . Vol. 1 Quebec: Edisem; 2005. p. 291-309.
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2.
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Defusing the confusion: concepts and measures of continuity of healthcare. Ottawa (ON): Canadian Health Services Foundation; 2002.
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