Skip to main content
Journal cover image

Defining the characteristics of intermediate care models including transitional care: an international Delphi study.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Sezgin, D; O'Caoimh, R; O'Donovan, MR; Salem, MA; Kennelly, S; Samaniego, LL; Carda, CA; Rodriguez-Acuña, R; Inzitari, M; Hammar, T; Vernon, M ...
Published in: Aging Clin Exp Res
November 2020

BACKGROUND: Although there is growing utilisation of intermediate care to improve the health and well-being of older adults with complex care needs, there is no international agreement on how it is defined, limiting comparability between studies and reducing the ability to scale effective interventions. AIM: To identify and define the characteristics of intermediate care models. METHODS: A scoping review, a modified two-round electronic Delphi study involving 27 multi-professional experts from 13 countries, and a virtual consensus meeting were conducted. RESULTS: Sixty-six records were included in the scoping review, which identified four main themes: transitions, components, benefits and interchangeability. These formed the basis of the first round of the Delphi survey. After Round 2, 16 statements were agreed, refined and collapsed further. Consensus was established for 10 statements addressing the definitions, purpose, target populations, approach to care and organisation of intermediate care models. DISCUSSION: There was agreement that intermediate care represents time-limited services which ensure continuity and quality of care, promote recovery, restore independence and confidence at the interface between home and acute services, with transitional care representing a subset of intermediate care. Models are best delivered by an interdisciplinary team within an integrated health and social care system where a single contact point optimises service access, communication and coordination. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified key defining features of intermediate care to improve understanding and to support comparisons between models and studies evaluating them. More research is required to develop operational definitions for use in different healthcare systems.

Duke Scholars

Altmetric Attention Stats
Dimensions Citation Stats

Published In

Aging Clin Exp Res

DOI

EISSN

1720-8319

Publication Date

November 2020

Volume

32

Issue

11

Start / End Page

2399 / 2410

Location

Germany

Related Subject Headings

  • Transitional Care
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Humans
  • Geriatrics
  • Delphi Technique
  • Consensus
  • Communication
  • Aged
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1702 Cognitive Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Sezgin, D., O’Caoimh, R., O’Donovan, M. R., Salem, M. A., Kennelly, S., Samaniego, L. L., … European Union Advantage Joint Action Work Package 7 partners in collaboration with the International Foundation for Integrated Care Special Interest Group on Intermediate Care, . (2020). Defining the characteristics of intermediate care models including transitional care: an international Delphi study. Aging Clin Exp Res, 32(11), 2399–2410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-020-01579-z
Sezgin, Duygu, Rónán O’Caoimh, Mark R. O’Donovan, Mohamed A. Salem, Siobhán Kennelly, Luz Lopez Samaniego, Cristina Arnal Carda, et al. “Defining the characteristics of intermediate care models including transitional care: an international Delphi study.Aging Clin Exp Res 32, no. 11 (November 2020): 2399–2410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-020-01579-z.
Sezgin D, O’Caoimh R, O’Donovan MR, Salem MA, Kennelly S, Samaniego LL, et al. Defining the characteristics of intermediate care models including transitional care: an international Delphi study. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2020 Nov;32(11):2399–410.
Sezgin, Duygu, et al. “Defining the characteristics of intermediate care models including transitional care: an international Delphi study.Aging Clin Exp Res, vol. 32, no. 11, Nov. 2020, pp. 2399–410. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/s40520-020-01579-z.
Sezgin D, O’Caoimh R, O’Donovan MR, Salem MA, Kennelly S, Samaniego LL, Carda CA, Rodriguez-Acuña R, Inzitari M, Hammar T, Holditch C, Bettger JP, Vernon M, Carroll Á, Gradinger F, Perman G, Wilson M, Vella A, Cherubini A, Tucker H, Fantini MP, Onder G, Roller-Wirnsberger R, Gutiérrez-Robledo LM, Cesari M, Bertoluci P, Kieliszek M, van der Vlegel-Brouwer W, Nelson M, Mañas LR, Antoniadou E, Barriere F, Lindblom S, Park G, Pérez I, Alguacil D, Lowdon D, Alkiza ME, Bouzon CA, Young J, Carriazo A, Liew A, Hendry A, European Union Advantage Joint Action Work Package 7 partners in collaboration with the International Foundation for Integrated Care Special Interest Group on Intermediate Care. Defining the characteristics of intermediate care models including transitional care: an international Delphi study. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2020 Nov;32(11):2399–2410.
Journal cover image

Published In

Aging Clin Exp Res

DOI

EISSN

1720-8319

Publication Date

November 2020

Volume

32

Issue

11

Start / End Page

2399 / 2410

Location

Germany

Related Subject Headings

  • Transitional Care
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Humans
  • Geriatrics
  • Delphi Technique
  • Consensus
  • Communication
  • Aged
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1702 Cognitive Sciences