Understanding Transitions in Care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding Transitions in care: ethnographic case study of an Integrated Neighbourhood Team
IRAS ID
344086
Contact name
Nicole Mfoafo-M'Carthy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford/Research Governance, Ethics and Assurance
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 2 days
Research summary
AIM
To understand how patients and staff navigate and experience transitions of care within an Integrated Neighbourhood team based in Oxford.BACKGROUND
The focus of this study is the Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs) organized by Primary Care Networks (PCN) to better coordinate health and social care for patients with increased care needs. INTs use multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs) of GPs, nurses, social workers, and other professionals to provide more community-based services. INTs involve different levels of care; as patients experience changes in their health condition and care needs, they transition across levels of care within the INT. To date, there has been limited research exploring how INTs are organized and how they deliver care. This study will examine how the OX3 INT based in Oxford delivers and organizes care. The aim of this study is therefore to capture how patients and staff navigate and experience transitions of care in the OX3 INT in Oxford and the role of technology in shaping these transitions
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. How do patients and staff navigate and experience transitions of care in the Integrated Neighborhood Team?
2. How does technology shape, enable or constrain transitions for patients and staff in the context of the Integrated Care Team?
3. How does policy shape transitions of care, and use of technology, in an INT?
METHODS
1. To conduct an ethnographic study in the OX3 INT focused on transitions of care:
a. interviews and/or observations with a sample of 8-12 patients and carers currently receiving care within an INT, and maximum 15 staff working within the same INT, and
b. interview 5-8 local/regional stakeholders, or health commissioners combined with analysis of 5-8 documents (e.g. national guidelines, local service agreements).DELIVERABLES
The primary deliverable will be the PhD thesis as completed by the lead researcher.REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/WM/0138
Date of REC Opinion
11 Sep 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion