The perceptions of nurses and physicians in primary care of rehabilitation for frail older adults.
Maria Laitalainen Törnudd, Anneli Peolsson, Maria M Johansson
PMID 38825588WHAT IT FOUND
Nurses and physicians knew what PTs and OTs offer but were unsure who to call or how to refer.
They wanted PTs and OTs on-site and regular team meetings. Better communication routes, not more education, are the missing link for frail older adults.
Key findings
01Informants had good knowledge of PT and OT contributions but were uncertain about referral pathways and which organisation to contact.
02Lack of time and organisational boundaries (county council vs municipality) were major barriers to collaboration.
03Home visits by PTs and OTs were valued for individualising care, but clinic-based group exercise was seen as beneficial for motivation and social interaction.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Small sample size (17 participants). Conducted in Sweden, so findings may not transfer to healthcare systems with different organisational structures. Digital interviews may have limited depth compared to face-to-face meetings. Most participants were women, reflecting the profession but potentially limiting perspective diversity.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest. The study was funded by Linköpings Universitet and Region Östergötland.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the lack of referrals as a lack of knowledge about what PT/OT can do. The nurses and physicians interviewed knew the interventions available; the problem was not knowing who to call or how to navigate the administrative split between county council and municipal services.