Authors (including presenting author) :
LAU CC(1), KWAN YK(1), NG MF(1), WONG WM(1), HO KS(1), TAM EMYY(1), WONG CL(1), KWOK WY(2), CHAO FW(2), NG WS(2), YIU WK(2), KAM KW(3), HUI WS(4)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, TMH/POH/TSWH (2)Community Care Division, NTWC (3)Patient Resources Centre, TMH (4)Cluster Public Affairs & Donation Management, NTWC
Introduction :
With the Government’s policy direction of “ageing-in-place as the core, institutional care as back-up”, community care has an important role in providing timely coordinated assessment and management of elderly patients. However, international and local experience have shown challenges of ageing in place. In line with HA Strategic Plan and various Strategic Service Frameworks, NTWC strives to enhance Medical Social Collaboration (MSC) to optimise demand management and mobilise community resources to better support the homecare of elderly patients, including those required higher level of nursing care.
Objectives :
A project with a series of engagement and empowerment activities had been launched for HA staff and community partners to share experience on achieving ageing in place through MSC; and solicit views for formulating future directions and enhancing service quality.
Methodology :
1.Planning and engagement: Consolidated existing experience and engaged stakeholders (e.g. Representatives from HA, university, government department, NGOs, patients/carers) for project planning and preparation. 2.Implementation: (2a)Conducted brainstorm workshop and cluster consultation sessions to propose strategies for service development. (2b) Invited patients and carers to video-taped their experience for case sharing. (2c)Organised a Community Healthcare Symposium with specialists from different sectors and participants to share their views and experiences. 3.Evaluation: Through survey and interview with stakeholders. 4.Towards Sustainable Healthcare: With observations gathered and advices received, cluster-based platforms on MSC were set up to steer the service development.
Result & Outcome :
Over 420 stakeholders (HA staff from various disciplines: 90%; key community partners: 10%) were engaged. Feedbacks suggested that ageing in place was not only a physical phenomenon of where someone lives but also a psychological state of mind and a preference. Three key themes were identified: (1)Enhance MSC for seamless care and promoting integrated service delivery. (2) Better utilize technology for transforming service delivery and improving the quality of care. (3)Include End-of-Life care as an integrated component of community care services.
