Objective: While increasing acuity levels and the concomitant complexity of service demand that physicians be involved in in-home care, conflicting evidence and opinions do not show how this can best be achieved.
Design: A phenomenologic research design was used to obtain insights into the challenges and opportunities of integrating physicians' services into the usual in-home services in London, Ont.
Setting: Home care in London, Ont.
Participants: Twelve participants included three patients, two family caregivers, two family physicians, the program's nurse practitioner, two case managers, and two community nurses.
Method: In-depth interviews with a maximally varied purposeful sample of patients, caregivers, and providers were analyzed using immersion and crystallization techniques.
Main findings: Findings revealed the potential for enhanced continuity of care and interdisciplinary team functioning. Having a nurse practitioner, interdisciplinary team-building exercises and meetings, regular face-to-face contact among all providers, support for family caregivers, and 24-hour coverage for physicians were found to be essential for success.
Conclusion: Integration of services takes time, money, and sustained commitment, particularly when undertaken in geographically isolated communities. Informed choice and a fair remuneration system remain important considerations for family physicians.