Conceptual Framework for Integrating Family Caregivers Into the Health Care Team: A Scoping Review

Minakshi Raj, Amber L. Stephenson, Matthew J. DePuccio, Erin E. Sullivan, Will Tarver, Bram Fleuren, Samuel C. Thomas, Ann Scheck McAlearney

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

More than 80% of family care partners of older adults are responsible for coordinating care between and among providers; yet, their inclusion in the health care delivery process lacks recognition, coordination, and standardization. Despite efforts to include care partners (e.g., through informal or formal proxy access to their care recipient’s patient portal), policies and procedures around care partner inclusion are complex and inconsistently implemented. We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed articles published from 2015 to 2021 and reviewed a final sample of 45 U.S.-based studies. Few articles specifically examine the inclusion of care partners in health care teams; those that do, do not define or measure care partner inclusion in a standardized way. Efforts to consider care partners as “partners” rather than “visitors” require further consideration of how to build health care teams inclusive of care partners. Incentives for health care organizations and providers to practice inclusive team-building may be required.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)131-144
Number of pages14
JournalMedical Care Research and Review
Volume80
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2023

Keywords

  • care partners
  • caregivers
  • family-centered care
  • scoping review
  • teamwork

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health Policy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Conceptual Framework for Integrating Family Caregivers Into the Health Care Team: A Scoping Review'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this