Within European cross-border health care, recent studies have identified several types of international patients. Within the Anglo-Saxon setting, the specific terminology of medical tourism is used. The analytical purpose of the paper is to resolve this semantic difference by suggesting an alternative terminology, 'transnational health care' that is understood as a 'context-controlled and coordinated network of health services'. For demand-driven trans-border access seekers and cross-border access searchers, there is a need to opt for regional health-policy strategies. For supply-driven sending context actors and receiving context actors, there would be organizational benefits to these strategies.Applying the terminology of trans-border access seekers, cross-border access searchers, sending context and receiving context actors results in a transnational patient mobility typology of twelve types of international patients, based on the criteria of geographical distance, cultural distance and searching efforts, public/private/no cover and private/public provision of health services. Finally, the normative purpose of the paper is to encourage the use of this terminology to promote a policy route for transnational health regions. It is suggested that the development of transnational health regions, each with their own medical and supportive service characteristics, could enhance governmental context-controlled decision power in applying sustainable health destination management.
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Key summary points Aim To reach consensus on terminology, organisational aspects, and outcome domains of geriatric rehabilitation for older people living at home. Findings In three rounds, an international panel reached a consensus regarding the term “home-based geriatric rehabilitation” to distinguish it from inpatient rehabilitation. The panel also identifed key organisational aspects essential for its implementation and concluded that participation and activity are the primary outcome domains to focus on. Message The results of this International Delphi shows consensus of experts on various topics in home-based GR, which is important to further develop international collaboration, development and research on this topic. Abstract Purpose Internationally, many diferences are observed regarding the practice of geriatric rehabilitation for older people living at home. To improve international collaboration and research on this topic, we aimed to reach a consensus on terminology, organisational aspects, and outcome domains to focus on. Methods We conducted a three-round online Delphi study among 60 (Home-based) geriatric rehabilitation experts from 14 countries. In the frst round, we collected diverse perspectives and input through statements and questions. In the subsequent rounds, participants rated statements on a 5-point Likert scale. Each statement could be accompanied by written feedback. After each round, results were presented anonymously to the participants, and statements on which no consensus was reached were rephrased. Consensus was defned as 70% or more participants (fully) agreeing with a statement. Results Sixty, 52, and 46 experts completed rounds 1, 2 and 3, respectively. After two rounds, we reached a consensus on ten statements and on the remaining four in the last round. A consensus was reached on the terminology used (i.e., home-based geriatric rehabilitation) and on several organisational aspects (e.g., essential aspects to consider for starting home-based geriatric rehabilitation and the importance of a knowledgeable case manager). Lastly, experts agreed that participation and activity are the most important outcome domains to focus on. Conclusions Through an international Delphi study, we reached consensus on various important aspects of home-based geriatric rehabilitation. These outcomes provide a basis for further development of this emerging feld.
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