Care centers in Region Uppsala – can a collaborative network create better care for multimorbid elderly?

Description

A well-functioning collaboration between health and social care providers is essential for the needs of elderly people with multiple illnesses to be met. Collaboration is also emphasised in the ongoing transformation of the Swedish healthcare system towards more outpatient care. The aim of the transition – which goes under the name of 'Good and close care' – is a person-centred system in which primary care forms the basis.

In line with the national transformation, several care centres have been established in Region Uppsala, aiming to improve continuity and collaboration across organisational boundaries for people with complex needs, such as multimorbid elderly. A care centre should have certain physical functions and also facilitate collaboration between different actors. Each care centre is governed and managed jointly by Region Uppsala and the concerned municipality, through a collaboration network.

The research project examines whether, and if so how, network governance can affect the conditions for collaboration at the operational level. This is investigated through a comparative case study design. The material consists of internal documents, interviews and meeting observations, which are analysed qualitatively.