Perspectives of user groups in the co-creation of a targeted dental care service intervention for older adults receiving home healthcare: an explorative study.

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of older adults receive home healthcare in their homes, some of whom lose their capacity and ability to take care of their own health, including oral health. Poor oral health may have serious consequences that can lead to poor nutrition, diseases, isolation, and even death. There is an urgent need to involve users in developing targeted interventions to ensure that eligible older adults exercise their right to receive appropriate dental care. The purpose of the study was to explore what user groups emphasised in co-creating a targeted dental care intervention for older adults receiving home healthcare.

METHODS

In this study, an exploratory design with an inductive and interpretive approach was employed. In two six-hour workshops, eleven participants representing three older adults, one next of kin, two nurses, and five dental care providers exchanged and discussed their perspectives on dental care as part of a co-creation process. Data were collected from group and plenary discussions during the workshops and were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The different user groups conveyed confusing and contradictory understandings and interpretations of the dental healthcare landscape. This uncertainty resulted in missed information regarding dental care, leading to situations where they do not always seek dental healthcare services until an acute issue arises. A blurred perception of older adults' needs for support, combined with shortcomings in collaboration, communication, and the exchange of digital information systems, has led to a lack of knowledge about one another and inadequate dental healthcare for this vulnerable group. The various user groups suggested different solutions; however, several key issues emerged as urgent to address. There is a need to build and integrate systems into home healthcare's digital administrative and health record systems to support the clarification and identification of eligible patients, as well as to develop a digital coordination and communication system to connect the two levels of service.

CONCLUSIONS

Unpacking the perspectives of the different user groups uncovered that an intervention must take into account the views of all groups. Understanding and incorporating the perceptions of all the different user groups were crucial for developing an intervention that enables a preventive and collaborative dental care approach.