A continuity of care integrated literature review, Part 2: Methodological issues.
OBJECTIVE
In Part 2 of this two-part series, research designs, methods, and measurement of continuity of care are explored.


METHODS
Qualitative, integrated literature review of a sample of 38 continuity of care nursing research article published 1990-1995.


METHODS
Ganong's (1987) stages of the integrative literature research review process were followed. A data collection tool was designed and pilot tested, and rules for data analysis and interpretation were established. Research articles were systematically analyzed and reported using descriptive analysis.


RESULTS
Results showed few nursing models, primarily convenience sampling and nonexperimental cross-sectional study designs, varied data collection methods, and inadequate instrumentation. Measurement criteria were diverse and influenced by the perspectives of the measurer.


CONCLUSIONS
Continuity of patient care was identified as a construct comprised of many related and tangential concepts in need of more sophisticated review. Recommendations for researchers are discussed.
Sparbel
K J
KJ
University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing, Quad Cities Regional Program, Moline 61265, USA. ksparbel@uic.edu
Anderson
M A
MA
D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D012107:Research Design