COVID-19: Opportunities for interdisciplinary research to improve care for older people in Sweden

Abstract

The emergence of COVID-19 has changed the world as we know it, arguably none more so than for older people. In Sweden, the majority of COVID-19-related fatalities have been among people aged ⩾70 years, many of whom were receiving health and social care services. The pandemic has illuminated aspects within the care continuum requiring evaluative research, such as decision-making processes, the structure and organisation of care, and interventions within the complex public-health system. This short communication highlights several key areas for future interdisciplinary and multi-sectorial collaboration to improve health and social care services in Sweden. It also underlines that a valid, reliable and experiential evidence base is the sine qua non for evaluative research and effective public-health systems.

Telemedicine consultations with physicians in Swedish primary care: a mixed methods study of users’ experiences and care patterns

“…When this study was conducted, there still was a negative attitude in Swedish society about telemedi cine services. The Covid-19 pandemic has rapidly changed the conditions and context for telemedicine consultations and many primary care centres have increased and integrated telemedicine consultations in their services [ 39 , 40 ]. This implies that users’ experience of the value of telemedicine consultations is confirmed, but how they are used needs further study.…”

“…The views of elderly persons on telemedicine consultations need to be explored further. Telemedicine services may need to be adapted to better suit the elderly population, as claimed in some Swedish studies [ 40 , 43 ]. Future research should preferably be interdisciplinary [ 40 ] and it would be beneficial to include the needs and competences of various user groups in using digital tools and services, as well as limitations and novel opportunities for the use of telemedicine in primary care.…”

A recipe for thriving in nursing homes: A meta‐ethnography

“…Our findings illuminate that access to adequate societal contributors appears to be an important requisite to thriving in the nursing home setting, and it is, therefore, necessary to consider the exploration of guiding policies and/or access to funding when reporting experiences of thriving in nursing homes. The importance of strengthening societal structures to support thriving in nursing homes has become especially pertinent during the COVID‐19 pandemic, as infection‐mitigating measures have disproportionately affected those who were reliant on health and social care services (Baxter, Jemberie et al, 2021; Edvardsson et al., 2020). Given the significant impact of COVID‐19 on all aspects of life in nursing homes (i.e., high morbidity and mortality, social and physical isolation, staffing and resource shortages etc.…”

Blue uncertainty: Warding off systemic risks in the Anthropocene—Lessons from COVID-19

“…Multi-sectoral collaborations focusing on health and social care, could result in improved education and training regarding hygiene routines and infection control measures, and an increase in the use of digital technology to monitor medication adherence and enhance psychosocial well-being, especially of older people and their families ( Baxter et al 2020 ). Indeed, the WHO has recently issued a framework document to support member states in the prevention of “pandemic fatigue”, calling for going beyond the biomedical sciences towards strategies to maintain and reinvigorate public support, informed by public health, societal, cultural and economic considerations” and ensuring that “no one is left behind” ( WHO , 2020 ).…”