Primary Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Factors Contributing to Acute Admissions Among Older Adults: A Qualitative Study

Purpose To explore the perspectives of primary healthcare providers and general practitioners regarding factors contributing to acute medical admissions among frail older community-dwelling individuals receiving home care and home nursing.Design An exploratory qualitative study.Methods Data were collected through individual interviews with primary healthcare providers (n = 7) and general practitioners (n = 7) between May 2023 and May 2024.Findings Eight categories were identified, resulting in three themes: Fragmented Care, Taking Action and Healthcare Dynamics. Acute admissions of frail older individuals represent a complex field shaped by medical complexity, organizational challenges, pressure from frustrated relatives and the need for intricate interprofessional collaboration and communication. Acute admissions, although not always the optimal solution, can be the only feasible option in certain situations.Conclusion In conclusion, acute admissions of community-dwelling, older individuals are often the result of complex, interrelated factors, including fragmented collaboration, organizational barriers, and unclear responsibilities. While hospitalization is rarely the preferred choice, it is sometimes unavoidable. Addressing this issue requires flexible, team-based approaches that enhance interprofessional collaboration and reduce reliance on acute care solutions.Clinical relevance Understanding these factors can help clinicians and primary healthcare providers improve interprofessional collaboration, clarify roles, and develop more proactive, coordinated care strategies – potentially reducing avoidable admissions and supporting better management of patients in the community.