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Understanding How to Improve the Use of Clinical Coordination Mechanisms between Primary and Secondary Care Doctors: Clues from Catalonia

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  • Laura Esteve-Matalí

    (Health Policy and Health Services Research Group, Health Policy Research Unit, Consortium for Health Care and Social Services of Catalonia, 08022 Barcelona, Spain
    Department for Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Preventive Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain)

  • Ingrid Vargas

    (Health Policy and Health Services Research Group, Health Policy Research Unit, Consortium for Health Care and Social Services of Catalonia, 08022 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Franco Amigo

    (Health Policy and Health Services Research Group, Health Policy Research Unit, Consortium for Health Care and Social Services of Catalonia, 08022 Barcelona, Spain
    Health Services Research Unit, IMIM-Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mèdiques, 08003 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Pere Plaja

    (Fundació Salut Empordà, 17600 Figueres, Spain)

  • Francesc Cots

    (Parc de Salut Mar, 08019 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Erick F. Mayer

    (Serveis de Salut Integrats Baix Empordà, 17230 Palamós, Spain)

  • Joan-Manuel Pérez-Castejón

    (Badalona Serveis Assistencials, 08911 Badalona, Spain)

  • María-Luisa Vázquez

    (Health Policy and Health Services Research Group, Health Policy Research Unit, Consortium for Health Care and Social Services of Catalonia, 08022 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

Clinical coordination between primary (PC) and secondary care (SC) is a challenge for health systems, and clinical coordination mechanisms (CCM) play an important role in the interface between care levels. It is therefore essential to understand the elements that may hinder their use. This study aims to analyze the level of use of CCM, the difficulties and factors associated with their use, and suggestions for improving clinical coordination. A cross-sectional online survey-based study using the questionnaire COORDENA-CAT was conducted with 3308 PC and SC doctors in the Catalan national health system. Descriptive bivariate analysis and logistic regression models were used. Shared Electronic Medical Records were the most frequently used CCM, especially by PC doctors, and the one that presented most difficulties in use, mostly related to technical problems. Some factors positively associated with frequent use of various CCM were: working full-time in integrated areas, or with local hospitals. Interactional and organizational factors contributed to a greater extent among SC doctors. Suggestions for improving clinical coordination were similar between care levels and related mainly to the improvement of CCM. In an era where management tools are shifting towards technology-based CCM, this study can help to design strategies to improve their effectiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Esteve-Matalí & Ingrid Vargas & Franco Amigo & Pere Plaja & Francesc Cots & Erick F. Mayer & Joan-Manuel Pérez-Castejón & María-Luisa Vázquez, 2021. "Understanding How to Improve the Use of Clinical Coordination Mechanisms between Primary and Secondary Care Doctors: Clues from Catalonia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:3224-:d:521004
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    Cited by:

    1. Hesham Ali Behary Aboelkhir & Adel Elomri & Tarek Y. ElMekkawy & Laoucine Kerbache & Mohamed S. Elakkad & Abdulla Al-Ansari & Omar M. Aboumarzouk & Abdelfatteh El Omri, 2022. "A Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization of Decision Support Systems for Healthcare Referral Strategies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-27, December.

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