Feasibility and sustainability of a model of multidisciplinary case conferencing in residential aged care
Elizabeth J. Halcomb*Family and Community Health Research Group, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Science, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Email: e.halcomb@uws.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 15(3) 238-243 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY08073
Published: 9 September 2009
Abstract
This paper reports a pilot study examining the feasibility, acceptability and sustainability of a multidisciplinary case conferencing model in residential aged care. The model was developed through a consultation process and then implemented in 31 case conferences over a 6-month period between May and October 2008. This paper explores the feasibility and acceptability of model implementation, the experience of the facility staff, general practitioners and residents/family carers and the perceived sustainability of the model in clinical practice. It shows that although there was a degree of confusion around the concept of multidisciplinary case conferencing, implementation of this partnership model significantly improved communication between health workers, facilitated interaction between staff and family carers, and provided a focus for reflecting on individual residents’ health needs.
Additional keywords: case conference.
Acknowledgements
Thankyou to all of the members of the Project Steering Committee for their input into this project – Professor Rhonda Griffiths and Ms Bernadette Shepherd (University of Western Sydney), Dr Arthur Ban, Mrs Chris Bulters and Dr Stewart Sloggett (Macarthur Division of General Practice), Mr John Bonnici and Mr Raad Richards (Carrington Centennial Care Ltd), Australian Institute of Workplace Learning, Ms Jane Hartley and Ms Helen Hennessey, (Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital) and Ms Robyn Tumeth (Macarthur Health Service). Sincere appreciation also must go to Ms Bernadette Shepherd and Ms Vicki Rose who assisted with various aspects of the data collection. Thank you also to all of the staff from Carrington Centennial Care Ltd and Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital, general practitioners and residents/family carers who so generously gave their time to participate in the Project. This study was funded by a Partnership Grant between the University of Western Sydney, Carrington Centennial Care Ltd, Macarthur Division of General Practice, Macarthur Health Service and the Australian Institute of Workplace Learning.
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* On behalf of the ‘Development of a multidisciplinary case conferencing model for residential aged care’ Project team.
