The Portuguese Model of Home Respiratory Care: Healthcare Professionals' Perspective

Autores da FMUP

• Cristina Isabel Oliveira Jácome

  Autor

• Daniela Santos Oliveira

  Autor

• Emilia Da Conceição Torres Dias Moreira

  Autor

• Claudia Camila Rodrigues Pereira Dias

  Autor

• João De Almeida Lopes Da Fonseca

  Autor

Participantes de fora da FMUP

• Caneiras, C
• Mendonca, L
• Mayoralas-Alises, S
• Diaz-Lobato, S
• Escarrabill, J
• Winck, JC

Unidades de investigação

• Laboratório Associado RISE- Rede de Investigação em Saúde

  

  Investigador

  Fernando Carlos De Landér Schmitt

• Medicina

• Medicina da Comunidade, Informação e Decisão em Saúde

• Recursos Comuns

  

  Investigador

  Guilhermina Maria Da Silva Rêgo

• RISE-Health

  

  Investigador

  Fernando Carlos De Landér Schmitt

Abstract

Patients' and carers' views regarding the Portuguese model of home respiratory care were recently described, yet the complementary perspective of healthcare professionals (HCPs) is still to be investigated. Thus, this study explored HCPs experience in the management of patients needing home respiratory therapies (HRT), and their perspective about the Portuguese model. A phenomenological descriptive study, using focus groups, was carried out with 28 HCPs (median 42 y, 68% female) with distinct backgrounds (57% pulmonologists, 29% clinical physiologists, 7% physiotherapists, 7% nurses). Three focus groups were conducted in three regions of Portugal. Thematic analysis was performed by two independent researchers. HCPs have in general a positive view about the organization of the Portuguese model of home respiratory care, which was revealed in four major topics: Prescription (number of references, n = 171), Implementation and maintenance (n = 162), Carer involvement (n = 65) and Quality of healthcare (n = 247). Improvements needed were related to patients' late referral, HRT prescription (usability of the medical electronic prescription system and renewals burden), patients' education, access to hospital care team, lack of multidisciplinary work and articulation between hospital, primary and home care teams. This study describes the perspective of HCPs about the Portuguese model of home respiratory care and identifies specific points where improvements and reflections are needed. This knowledge may be useful to decision makers improve the current healthcare model.

Keywords

• oxygen inhalation therapy; mechanical ventilation; focus groups; long-term care; quality of health care; Home care services