Rather than adopting a top-down theoretical approach to continuity, we used a bottom-up empirical approach to explore how continuity is experienced by patients.
Accessibility, open communication, and staff continuity were experienced as prerequisites for well-functioning teamwork.
Effects have been demonstrated on both functional status and healthcare use [5] and case management has also been experienced to give trust, continuity and security, as well as a mutual confidence between participants and case managers [6].
Waibel and colleagues suggest that the relationship between coordination and continuity is one of perspective: coordination reflects the provider and health system perspective, whereas continuity is what is experienced by the patient over time [ 13].
They maintain that two core elements are essential to continuity: that care is experienced as smooth and coordinated by the client, and is provided over time.
Continuity as well as change were experienced at the levels of behaviour, competencies, identity and mission.
"Owais is experienced and it's nice to have that continuity.
A lack of continuity from secondary to primary care was experienced.
No statistically significant differences were found in patients' experienced continuity between the trial arms, but important trends were seen in measures of needs for care in favour of those receiving the intervention.
Experienced continuity is a concept involving consistent time and attention, knowing what to expect in the future, coping between service contacts, managing family consequences and believing nothing in treatment has been overlooked.
Moreover, the burden on patients coping with multiple health problems needs to be acknowledged and it is important to understand how patients experience continuity in their care in order to maintain and monitor standards, and improve care quality.
