| Title: |
Addressing barriers to interprofessional working with homecare workers in community palliative care: Insights from a multi-site qualitative case study |
| Authors: |
Bayley, Z.; Forward, C.; White, C.; Elliott-Button, H.; Krygier, J.; Walker, L.; Pearson, M.; Hussain, J.; Taylor, P.; Wray, J.; Roberts, H.; Bravington, A.; Johnson, M.J. |
| Publisher Information: |
SAGE Publications |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Collection: |
White Rose Research Online (Universities of Leeds, Sheffield & York) |
| Description: |
Background: Homecare workers (paid workers without professional qualifications who provide care for people within their own homes) are crucial providers of end-of-life care (the last 6 months of life) but are not part of the healthcare multidisciplinary team. Little is known about the homecare worker role within interprofessional working practices. Aim: To explore the experiences of end-of-life homecare provision, from multiple perspectives. Design: A qualitative multiple case study using semi-structured interviews, and the option to create a Pictor chart – a visual diagram of relationships between those involved in care provision. Data were analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis. An adaptation of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory was used to inform the analysis. Setting/participants: Homecare workers and managers, people receiving care, carers, social, and healthcare practitioners from three economically and culturally diverse geographical regions within England. Results: 133 participants were recruited (case 1 = 49, case 2 = 34, case 3 = 49). Although examples of good practice were seen, common barriers to collaboration between health and social care practitioners and homecare workers were identified: lack of healthcare practitioner knowledge/training on homecare workers’ role and its value, and poor communication (gatekeeping by managers, asynchronous working practices, restricted access to documentation and systems). Conclusion: The homecare worker role was poorly understood and undervalued with inadequate communication and interaction between practitioners, potentially impacting on quality of care. Collaborative practice is necessary for provision of high-quality care, but we found this was often absent due to knowledge, professional, and organisational barriers. Further research should explore suggested strategies to address the barriers identified. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| File Description: |
text |
| Language: |
English |
| ISSN: |
0269-2163 |
| Relation: |
https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/234895/1/bayley-et-al-2025-addressing-barriers-to-interprofessional-working-with-homecare-workers-in-community-palliative-care.pdf; Bayley, Z. orcid.org/0000-0001-7890-8682 , Forward, C. orcid.org/0000-0002-2796-346X , White, C. orcid.org/0000-0001-6162-4499 et al. (10 more authors) (2026) Addressing barriers to interprofessional working with homecare workers in community palliative care: Insights from a multi-site qualitative case study. Palliative Medicine, 40 (1). pp. 62-73. ISSN: 0269-2163 |
| Availability: |
https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/234895/ |
| Rights: |
cc_by_nc_4 |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.C58F13BB |
| Database: |
BASE |