Building the future of health care: exploring the relational coordination process of informal caregivers
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2025-06-27
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en
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Abstract
With an ageing population and a growing shortage of formal caregivers, many countries are
increasingly relying on informal caregivers. This development highlights the need to
strengthen the collaboration between formal and informal givers. In an effort to improve their
coordination, this research explores relational coordination theory as a potential framework.
Therefore, the aim of this research is to answer the question: ‘’How do informal caregivers
engage in relational coordination with formal caregivers?’’ A Dutch dementia nursing home
was selected for an in-depth case study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with
twelve informal caregivers to explore their coordination process with formal caregivers.
While existing relational coordination networks have primarily focused on formal caregivers,
this study provides empirical evidence that these networks can be extended to include
informal caregivers. The subdimensions of relational coordination theory were applied to
analyse both the positioning of informal caregivers in relation to formal caregivers and the
approach taken by formal caregivers towards informal caregivers. This research contributes to
the existing literature by offering new insights into the relational coordination process,
particularly regarding the interrelatedness of the subdimensions, and the role of cross-cutting
structural elements (shared spaces, shared information systems, shared meetings, shared
accountability, and proactive horizontal conflict resolution) and microprocesses
(psychological safety and dependency).
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen