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Information seeking and knowledge on in-home care services in a representative sample in Switzerland


 
 
 In Switzerland the use of in-home care services has increased steadily in recent years. Contributing to this trend are a growing aging population and changing family structures. In-home care services are embedded in complex financing systems, which require considerable efforts and capacities to navigate, and if not well understood, can lead to inefficient usage of healthcare services. The aim of this study is to assess information seeking behavior and knowledge on in-home care services in the Swiss general population.
 
 
 
 Data comes from a cross-sectional online survey, using a representative sample from Switzerland (N = 1050), conducted in September 2018. The survey included items on information seeking behavior (sources, difficulties seeking information), as well as general and financial knowledge on in-home care services.
 
 
 
 50.1% had sought information on in-home care services at least once. Logistic regression shows that age (β=.01, p<.005) and gender are significant predictors for information seeking, with women being more likely to have sought information (β=.26, p<.05). Those with highest education are less likely to have sought information (β=-.55, p<.05). About 1/4 of participants indicate having had some difficulty when seeking information, including being worried about the quality of information. 84.8% indicate to have at least some knowledge about in-home care financing. Whereas the majority is relatively well informed on the financing of in-home care services, such as “acute and transitional care”, participants have overall relatively little knowledge on additional financing mechanisms, such as supplemental benefits. Multiple regression shows that age significantly predicts financial knowledge (β=.04, p<.001).
 
 
 
 The study shows that knowledge gaps exist, which may hinder effective and efficient use of in-home care services, as well as a potential lack of available and clear information to make appropriate decisions on services.
 
 
 
 Important knowledge gaps on in-home care services exist in Switzerland. The study indicates a potential lack of available and easy-to-understand information on in-home care services in Switzerland.
