Strategies Used by Home Health Care Professionals Working With Older Adults to Navigate the Institutional Context: An Integrative Review

Abstract

To respond to the needs of home healthcare (HHC) patients, HHC professionals must use strategies to navigate the influence of the institutional context, that is, laws and regulations, the administration, and the organization of HHC services. However, no synthesis of those strategies exists. This review aimed to synthesize the strategies used by HHC professionals working with older adults to navigate the institutional context. An integrative review was undertaken in 5 databases, from 2011 to January 2023. The quality of documents was assessed based on an adapted version of the Critical Review Form—Qualitative Studies (Version 2.0) in which a score was calculated out of 25, and data was analyzed through coding, data display and comparison. Thirteen documents were included. The quality of studies ranged from 13 to 21.75. Strategies are often used to overcome limited resources (e.g., time, funding). Six types of strategies were identified: Deviating (bypassing rules or processes), taking on more and more (taking additional work), offering one’s personal time (working without remuneration), reallocating resources (splitting HHC services between patients), limiting HHC visits (restricting interventions or actions) and relying on others (transferring responsibilities). The use of strategies could alleviate the discomfort felt by HHC professionals due to limited resources. However, as some strategies lead to a reduced scope of practice and to a loss of expertise, this could impede the quality of the care, resulting in non-responded needs for HHC patients.