Lessons learned from implementing a digital rehabilitation care planning platform to improve care access for patients with work disability: qualitative process evaluation of the RehaPro-SERVE study

Abstract Background Inpatient rehabilitation therapies can be applied for in Germany by patients of working age to support their return to work. However, there are some problems that impede an easy and uncomplicated application process. An interdisciplinary case management approach for rehabilitatio...

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Main Authors: Kristina Buch, Viktoria Hamme, Annette Becker, Ulf Seifart, Catharina Maulbecker-Armstrong, Karin Moser, Pellumbesha Seferi, Antonia Keller, Veronika van der Wardt
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-10-01
Series:BMC Health Services Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11778-3
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author Kristina Buch
Viktoria Hamme
Annette Becker
Ulf Seifart
Catharina Maulbecker-Armstrong
Karin Moser
Pellumbesha Seferi
Antonia Keller
Veronika van der Wardt
author_facet Kristina Buch
Viktoria Hamme
Annette Becker
Ulf Seifart
Catharina Maulbecker-Armstrong
Karin Moser
Pellumbesha Seferi
Antonia Keller
Veronika van der Wardt
author_sort Kristina Buch
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Inpatient rehabilitation therapies can be applied for in Germany by patients of working age to support their return to work. However, there are some problems that impede an easy and uncomplicated application process. An interdisciplinary case management approach for rehabilitation care planning was developed to facilitate the access to rehabilitation. Case conferences (CCs) were held with relevant stakeholders and took place on a digital communication platform. We conducted a qualitative process evaluation to understand the implementation of the intervention and to identify contextual factors as well as mechanisms for a successful implementation in the context of primary care. Methods The process evaluation included interviews with primary care physicians (PCPs), patients and stakeholders involved in the intervention process. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Emerging themes were structured according to the Donabedian framework of structure, process and outcomes. Results A total of 18 interviews were conducted. Important results included the desire for more patient involvement and case management. Patients especially valued the opportunity to receive support from a social worker. Limitations of the platform related to usability and limited opportunities for stakeholder communication. Despite training for PCPs, several problems arose regarding the clarity of the intervention process. Patients were satisfied with their application process and the treatments offered, while PCPs reported an increase in workload. Conclusions A digitalisation of the application procedure for rehabilitation and further treatment options is acceptable to patients and personal support of a social worker is particularly valued. However, patients should be included in the CC in terms of a shared decision-making process. The digital platform requires sufficient training and adjustments have to be made to enhance usability and to improve the efficiency of the process for PCPs. Overall, the exchange between the various stakeholders in the CC is considered particularly useful in more complex cases. Trial registration DRKS German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS0 00242 07. Registered on 22 March 2021.
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spelling doaj-art-ccf65e3e9af247daa420668ba41ce7532025-08-20T02:18:24ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632024-10-0124111110.1186/s12913-024-11778-3Lessons learned from implementing a digital rehabilitation care planning platform to improve care access for patients with work disability: qualitative process evaluation of the RehaPro-SERVE studyKristina Buch0Viktoria Hamme1Annette Becker2Ulf Seifart3Catharina Maulbecker-Armstrong4Karin Moser5Pellumbesha Seferi6Antonia Keller7Veronika van der Wardt8Department of Primary Care, Philipps-University of MarburgDepartment of Primary Care, Philipps-University of MarburgDepartment of Primary Care, Philipps-University of MarburgSonnenblick Medical Rehabilitation Centre, German Pension InsuranceFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Central HesseFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Central HesseFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Central HesseGerman Pension Insurance of HesseDepartment of Primary Care, Philipps-University of MarburgAbstract Background Inpatient rehabilitation therapies can be applied for in Germany by patients of working age to support their return to work. However, there are some problems that impede an easy and uncomplicated application process. An interdisciplinary case management approach for rehabilitation care planning was developed to facilitate the access to rehabilitation. Case conferences (CCs) were held with relevant stakeholders and took place on a digital communication platform. We conducted a qualitative process evaluation to understand the implementation of the intervention and to identify contextual factors as well as mechanisms for a successful implementation in the context of primary care. Methods The process evaluation included interviews with primary care physicians (PCPs), patients and stakeholders involved in the intervention process. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Emerging themes were structured according to the Donabedian framework of structure, process and outcomes. Results A total of 18 interviews were conducted. Important results included the desire for more patient involvement and case management. Patients especially valued the opportunity to receive support from a social worker. Limitations of the platform related to usability and limited opportunities for stakeholder communication. Despite training for PCPs, several problems arose regarding the clarity of the intervention process. Patients were satisfied with their application process and the treatments offered, while PCPs reported an increase in workload. Conclusions A digitalisation of the application procedure for rehabilitation and further treatment options is acceptable to patients and personal support of a social worker is particularly valued. However, patients should be included in the CC in terms of a shared decision-making process. The digital platform requires sufficient training and adjustments have to be made to enhance usability and to improve the efficiency of the process for PCPs. Overall, the exchange between the various stakeholders in the CC is considered particularly useful in more complex cases. Trial registration DRKS German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS0 00242 07. Registered on 22 March 2021.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11778-3RehabilitationPrimary careCase managementCase conferencesInterdisciplinary care planningComplex intervention
spellingShingle Kristina Buch
Viktoria Hamme
Annette Becker
Ulf Seifart
Catharina Maulbecker-Armstrong
Karin Moser
Pellumbesha Seferi
Antonia Keller
Veronika van der Wardt
Lessons learned from implementing a digital rehabilitation care planning platform to improve care access for patients with work disability: qualitative process evaluation of the RehaPro-SERVE study
BMC Health Services Research
Rehabilitation
Primary care
Case management
Case conferences
Interdisciplinary care planning
Complex intervention
title Lessons learned from implementing a digital rehabilitation care planning platform to improve care access for patients with work disability: qualitative process evaluation of the RehaPro-SERVE study
title_full Lessons learned from implementing a digital rehabilitation care planning platform to improve care access for patients with work disability: qualitative process evaluation of the RehaPro-SERVE study
title_fullStr Lessons learned from implementing a digital rehabilitation care planning platform to improve care access for patients with work disability: qualitative process evaluation of the RehaPro-SERVE study
title_full_unstemmed Lessons learned from implementing a digital rehabilitation care planning platform to improve care access for patients with work disability: qualitative process evaluation of the RehaPro-SERVE study
title_short Lessons learned from implementing a digital rehabilitation care planning platform to improve care access for patients with work disability: qualitative process evaluation of the RehaPro-SERVE study
title_sort lessons learned from implementing a digital rehabilitation care planning platform to improve care access for patients with work disability qualitative process evaluation of the rehapro serve study
topic Rehabilitation
Primary care
Case management
Case conferences
Interdisciplinary care planning
Complex intervention
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11778-3
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