To investigate the perceived gaps and opportunities in geriatric care service delivery among health and social care workers in selected urban areas in the Philippines and Vietnam.
A qualitative case study approach drawn on social constructivism theory, examined working experiences, observed characteristics of older adults, geriatric services and needs, difficulties on service delivery, and recommended solutions. A total of 12 semi-structured interviews and 29 focus group discussions were conducted in the Philippines, with 174 health and social care workers, while in Vietnam, there were 23 semi-structured interviews and 29 focus group discussions with 124 participants. An inductive thematic analysis was employed.
Interview participants highlighted the increasing unmet needs such as accessibility, availability, and acceptability of geriatric care services. The implementation of interventions on the older population faced multiple challenges, including issues related to older adult conundrums and dilemmas in geriatric care providers and facilities. The participants from the two countries felt that strengthening implementation of collaboration toward an integrated geriatric care structure and expansion of training and capability in handling older adults can be potential in addressing the gaps at both individual and institutional levels. Additionally, a committed leadership was viewed to be the important step to effectively operationalize the strategy.
Health and social workers emphasized that the needs of older adults are exacerbated by various challenges within a fragmented geriatric care system. To address this issue, an establishment of an integrated service delivery mechanism with dedicated leadership is needed. The findings from this study may help develop appropriate solutions for addressing the health and social care needs of older adults in similar settings across Southeast Asia. Further examination of the impact of these challenges and solutions on service delivery and the wellbeing of older adults is essential.
■调查菲律宾和越南选定城市地区的卫生和社会护理人员在提供老年护理服务方面的差距和机会。
■基于社会建构主义理论的定性案例研究方法,检查工作经验,老年人的观察特征,老年服务和需求,服务交付方面的困难,和推荐的解决方案。在菲律宾共进行了12次半结构访谈和29次焦点小组讨论,拥有174名卫生和社会护理工作者,在越南,有23次半结构化访谈和29次焦点小组讨论,有124名参与者。采用了归纳主题分析。
■访谈参与者强调了不断增加的未满足需求,例如可访问性,可用性,以及老年护理服务的可接受性。对老年人口实施干预措施面临多重挑战,包括与老年护理提供者和设施中的老年人难题和困境有关的问题。来自两国的与会者认为,加强实施合作以建立一体化的老年护理结构,扩大处理老年人的培训和能力,可以弥补个人和机构层面的差距。此外,坚定的领导被认为是有效实施该战略的重要步骤。
卫生和社会工作者强调,在一个支离破碎的老年护理系统中,各种挑战加剧了老年人的需求。为了解决这个问题,需要建立一个有专门领导的综合服务提供机制。这项研究的结果可能有助于制定适当的解决方案,以解决东南亚类似环境中老年人的健康和社会护理需求。进一步检查这些挑战和解决方案对服务提供和老年人福祉的影响至关重要。