Research & theory
Integrated care in Norway: State of affairs years after regulation by law
Authors:
Jorunn Bjerkan ,
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO
About Jorunn
RN, PhD Candidate
Marie Richter,
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO
About Marie
MI, BLS
Faculty of Medicine, The Norwegian EHR Research Centre
Anders Grimsmo,
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO
About Anders
PhD, Professor,
Faculty of Medicine, The Norwegian EHR Research Centre
Ragnhild Hellesø,
University of Oslo, NO
About Ragnhild
RN, PhD, Post-doctoral research Fellow
Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Helalth and Society, Departement of Nursing and Health Sciences
Jytte Brender
Aalborg University, DK
About Jytte
PhD, MSc, MSc, Assosiate professor, Dept. of Health Science & Technology, and Virtual Center of Health Informatics
Abstract
Introduction: A mandatory multidisciplinary plan for individual care, the 'Individual care Plan', was introduced by law in Norway in 2001. The regulation was established to meet the need for improved efficiency and quality of health and social services, and to increase patient involvement. The plan was intended for patients with long-term and complex needs for coordinated care. The aim of this study was to elaborate on knowledge of such planning processes in Norwegian municipalities.
Method: A piloted questionnaire was sent to 92 randomly selected municipalities in 2005-2006, addressing local organization and participation in the work with individual care plans. Local political governance, size of the population, funds available for health care, and problems related to living conditions were indicators for analysing the extent to which the individual care plan was used five years after the regulation was introduced.
Results: Our results showed that 0.5% as opposed to an expected 3% of the population had an individual care plan. This was independent of the political, social and financial situation in the municipalities or the way the planning process had been carried out. The planning process was mostly taken care of by local health and social care professionals, rather than by hospital staff and general practitioners.
Discussion and conclusion: The low number of care plans and the oblique responsibility among professionals for planning showed that the objectives of the national initiative had not been achieved. More research is needed to determine the reasons for this lack of success and to contribute to solutions for improved multidisciplinary cooperation.
How to Cite:
Bjerkan J, Richter M, Grimsmo A, Hellesø R, Brender J. Integrated care in Norway: State of affairs years after regulation by law. International Journal of Integrated Care. 2011;11(1):None. DOI: http://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.530
Published on
31 Jan 2011.
Peer Reviewed
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