Open Collections

Awotunde, Anuoluwapo

University of British Columbia

Introduction: As the global population ages, effective management of care networks for older adults is essential to enhance health outcomes and overall well-being. This study investigates the structure and dynamics of care networks that support older adults in Canada, employing social network analysis (SNA) to explore the relationships and interactions among various care providers. These networks include both medical professionals, such as physicians and healthcare providers, and non-medical supporters, including family, friends, and community members. Purpose: The primary purpose of this study is to investigate interprofessional collaboration on the effectiveness of these networks in delivering comprehensive care to older adults. Methods: This study utilizes SNA to map and analyze the egocentric care networks of older adults managing multiple chronic conditions. Data were collected from participants through structured interviews, focusing on their interactions with healthcare professionals and non-medical supporters. Network mapping techniques were employed to visualize the structure, strength, and types of relationships within these networks. Analysis: The data collected were analyzed to identify patterns of interaction and collaboration among network members, examining how these relationships contribute to the management of health and well-being among older adults. Results: The findings from this study provide a deeper understanding of the functioning of care networks for older adults, highlighting the critical roles of communication and collaboration in enhancing care quality. Insights gained from this research suggest strategies for optimizing care coordination and improving health outcomes by fostering stronger partnerships among medical and non-medical network members. Conclusion: This study employs social network analysis (SNA) to examine the interplay between medical and non-medical supporters in older adults' care networks, highlighting the importance of communication and collaboration in enhancing health outcomes. The findings advocate for systemic improvements, including promoting interprofessional collaboration and integrating community resources into care plans. By strengthening these relationships, we can achieve more coordinated and holistic care models that better support older adults in managing their health, ultimately improving their quality of life.

Text

2024-10-21

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/89468

Pharmaceutical Sciences

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/