title: Implementing a continuum of care model for older people-results from a Swedish case study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a need for integrated care and smooth collaboration between care-providing organisations and professions to create a continuum of care for frail older people. However, collaboration between organisations and professions is often problematic. The aim of this study was to examine the process of implementing a new continuum of care model in a complex organisational context, and illuminate some of the challenges involved. The introduced model strived to connect three organisations responsible for delivering health and social care to older people: the regional hospital, primary health care and municipal eldercare.
  
  
  METHODS
  The actions of the actors involved in the process of implementing the model were understood to be shaped by the actors' understanding, commitment and ability. This article is based on 44 qualitative interviews performed on four occasions with 26 key actors at three organisational levels within these three organisations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results point to the importance of paying regard to the different cultures of the organisations when implementing a new model. The role of upper management emerged as very important. Furthermore, to be accepted, the model has to be experienced as effectively dealing with real problems in the everyday practice of the actors in the organisations, from the bottom to the top.
authors: Department of Social Work, University of Gothenburg, P.O. Box 720, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden; Vårdal Institute, The Swedish Institute for Health Sciences, P.O. Box 187, SE- 221 00 Lund, Sweden.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Dunér
authors: Staffan
authors: S
authors: Blomberg
authors: Henna
authors: H
authors: Hasson