Facilitators and Barriers in Integrated Social Care for Families Facing Multiple and Complex Problems: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Introduction: Families with multiple and complex problems often deal with multiple professionals and organizations for support. Integrated social care supposedly prevents the fragmentation of care that often occurs.We identified facilitators and barriers experienced by families receiving integrated social care and by the professionals who provide it. Method: We performed a scoping review following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, using the following databases: PsycINFO, Web of Science Core Collection, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, CINAHL, PubMed, and Medline. Furthermore, conducted a thematic analysis. The results were divided into facilitators and barriers of integrated social care. Results: We identified 278 studies and finally included sixteen in our scoping review. We identified facilitators, including: linking formal care with informal networks, promoting collaboration among professionals e.g., working in pairs, and professionals autonomy. We identified barriers, including: time constraints, tasks outside professionals’ expertise, along with resistance to integrated collaboration among organizations. These findings can enhance the advancement of social integrated care as a promising approach to support families facing multiple and complex problems. Conclusion: To empower families, integrated social care requires a systematic approach based on trust. It involves coordinated care, shared decision-making, informal networks and the participation of all family members, including children.

Keywords

• families with multiple and complex problems
• multi-problem families
• integrated social care
• integrated care
• multi-agency working
• interdisciplinary collaboration
• fragmentation of care