How do informal caregivers utilise navigating capabilities to effectively overcome challenges within healthcare systems
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2025-07-10
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en
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The Netherlands faces increasing pressure in healthcare systems due to demographic shifts and policy changes promoting independent living for older adults. This situation places greater reliance in informal caregivers who must navigate fragmented healthcare structures with limited support or training. Challenging is how informal caregiversdevelop effective navigation strategies despite these structural barriers. Drawing on navigation and capability theories, this research investigates how informal caregivers overcome fragmentation through specific competencies. This research therefore aims to answer, “How do informal caregivers utilise navigating capabilities to effectively overcome challenges within healthcare systems?” This research employs a qualitative research design examining twelve informal caregivers through semi-structured interviews and document analysis to inductively discover empirical insights. The Gioia method is applied to systemically analyse data, ensuring rigorous development of conceptual insights. This research extends prior literature on individual navigating capabilities by revealing their interconnected nature. It contributes by identifying three concepts. First, the information availability-accessibility paradox, where abundant resources increase, rather than decrease, informal caregiver burden. Secondly, “situated craft” as creative resource mobilisation. Finally, “anticipatory alertness” as continuous crisis readiness. These findings challenge support approaches targeting isolated skills, suggesting interventions must strengthen interconnected capability ecosystems.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen