Description
Healthcare systems in western countries are continuously working to achieve efficient resource allocation and to improve access to quality medical care. The implementation of standardised care processes promises better integration and coordination of care across several healthcare providers. In this context, an increasing use of the term patient pathway is recognised within official documents provided by health authorities and within scientific publications in recent years. However, a common understanding, distinguishing the term from other pathway approaches such as care- or clinical pathways, is missing. By means of a scoping review we analysed 132 publications in order to clarify key concepts and the understanding of patient pathways. Six common themes in the literature were identified and results show that individualisatio nand care continuity are essential descriptive characteristics. Using this motivation, we discuss the main implications for research and practice by the example of comprehensive cancer care in the European Union.
Understanding Patient Pathways in the Context of Integrated Health Care Services - Implications from a Scoping Review
Healthcare systems in western countries are continuously working to achieve efficient resource allocation and to improve access to quality medical care. The implementation of standardised care processes promises better integration and coordination of care across several healthcare providers. In this context, an increasing use of the term patient pathway is recognised within official documents provided by health authorities and within scientific publications in recent years. However, a common understanding, distinguishing the term from other pathway approaches such as care- or clinical pathways, is missing. By means of a scoping review we analysed 132 publications in order to clarify key concepts and the understanding of patient pathways. Six common themes in the literature were identified and results show that individualisatio nand care continuity are essential descriptive characteristics. Using this motivation, we discuss the main implications for research and practice by the example of comprehensive cancer care in the European Union.