The transfer of health care from hospital to home from the perspective of the health- and social care providers – an interview study

Abstract

Background The process of transferring health care services from hospital care to municipal home health care is ongoing in Sweden, which contributes to an increasingly advanced health care in patients’ homes. Methods This study has a qualitative design. Data were collected in two rural municipalities in western Sweden during autumn 2020. Fourteen registered nurses and ten assistant nurses employed by the municipalities participated in focus group interviews, and three physicians in primary mobile health care employed by primary health care were individually interviewed via telephone. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze data. Results The analyze resulted in two main themes. The first theme, Home—An arena in which one balances dual roles and respectfully negotiates the provision of care as a guest, was related to respect for the home and for those who live there. The second theme, Striving to fulfill expectations and requirements while simultaneously preserving professionalism, was related to profession and cooperation. Conclusions The result of this study shows that working in home health care requires negotiation to achieve an appropriate home- and work environment, and collaboration between health care providers to achieve good and safe patient care in the home.