Navigating the Challenges of Complex Patient Care

Patients with complex care needs often demand a level of medical, psychological, and social support that goes beyond the typical treatment protocols. A groundbreaking study from The Institute for Education Research at the University Health Network (UHN) sheds light on how stroke rehabilitation clinicians tackle these hurdles while striving for patient-centered care.

The Inflexibility of Standardized Care Pathways

Standardized care pathways are designed to streamline healthcare delivery, ensuring efficiency and consistency. While these models work well for many patients, they often fall short in addressing the diverse and evolving needs of individuals with complex conditions, such as those recovering from a stroke.

Insights from Leading Experts

Dr. Alyssa Indar, the lead author of the study and an expert in scholarship and innovation at UHN, explored these dynamics during her PhD work in the ExCEL Lab under Dr. Maria Mylopoulos. Together with a research team, they conducted in-depth interviews with 22 healthcare professionals from six accredited Canadian stroke centres, gathering perspectives from various fields including medicine, physical therapy, nursing, and social work.

A Disconnect in Perceptions

The study's findings revealed a troubling disconnect: while clinicians reported that most of their patients have complex care needs, organizational leaders often believe that only a limited number require more than what standardized pathways provide. This misalignment has serious implications, as those in leadership roles influence policies and resource distribution, perpetuating rigid care models that do not reflect real clinical challenges.

The Costs of Inflexibility

Due to this gap in understanding, clinicians often resort to improvised strategies to meet their patients' needs, which can lead to frustration, moral distress, and burnout among healthcare providers. These insights highlight an urgent need for health systems to become more adaptable and supportive, aligning policies with the reality of patient care.

Toward a Responsive Healthcare System

Empowering healthcare providers to address complex needs effectively can pave the way for a more responsive, collaborative, and equitable healthcare environment. This study was made possible through the generosity of donors to the UHN Foundation, emphasizing the community's role in enhancing patient care.