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Alessandro Stievano PhD researcher Centre of Excellence Nursing Scholarship Ipasvi Viale Giulio Cesare 78 IT [email protected] Prof Dyanne Affonso Nursing Centre of Excellence Nursing Scholarship Ipasvi Rome IT [email protected] Prof Rosaria Alvaro Nursing Tor Vergata University Rome IT [email protected] Director Gennaro Rocco Nursing Centre of Excellence Nursing Scholarship Ipasvi Rome IT [email protected] PhD candidate Silvia Marcadelli Nursing Tor Vergata University Rome IT [email protected] EVOLUTION OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY NURSING IN ITALY. ACCOUNTABILITY TO AGEING SOCIETY VIA A NOVEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF CONTINUITY OF CARE Background: Primary health care has pivotal significance in the demographic transitions that characterize modern societies. Nurses as primary health providers integrate disease prevention and health promotion, which are fundamental to the sustainability of the health system in ageing societies. Therefore, primary health care via family and community nursing was introduced in Italy, prompting the need to identify organizational models applicable to the Italian context. Aim: To build a theoretical model of continuity of care that described the characteristics and challenges in the management of care via family and community nursing in Italy. Method: An exploratory study comprised of two methods was conducted inclusive of model development for a new specialty of nursing: First, a web survey via National Federation of Ipasvi Colleges website (n=1817) was done, followed by interviews with a sample of selected stakeholders (n=140). Results/Discussion: Challenges experienced by the Italian National Health Service in introducing continuity of care by implementing a new specialty of family and community nursing were delineated. Specifically, different organizational models used in the various Regions of Italy evoked inconsistencies, barriers to standards of care and thereby obstacles to continuity of care. Lack of clearly defined scope of practice for family and community nursing amplified problems in professionalism and management of care. Furthermore, lack of formal recognition of family and community nurses via bona fide work/employment contracts undermined implementation progress. An important outcome was the development of a theoretical model that centered primary care through health centers managed by family and community nurses (Include Fig.1). Keywords: Community nursing, Health care centres, Family nursing, Organizational models, Italy Congress Topics: 39 |