Understanding Care Planning in Long-term Care Homes: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Evidence on Barriers and Facilitators

Steve Iduye; Audrey Museve; Shelley McKibbon; Aderonke Agboji

doi:10.29333/ajqr/17461

Steve Iduye ¹ ^* , Audrey Museve ², Shelley McKibbon ³, Aderonke Agboji ⁴

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AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 10, Issue 1, pp. 198-221

https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/17461

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Abstract

Effective care planning is fundamental to enhancing health outcomes for residents in long-term care (LTC) homes. The current literature demonstrates the value of providing high-quality, individual-centered care through collaborative efforts that identify and address resident needs, goals, and preferences. Despite this significance, existing literature exhibits notable gaps. Studies often focus on specific populations, lacking a comprehensive synthesis of qualitative evidence encompassing diverse stakeholder perspectives. This review aimed to synthesize qualitative evidence from primary qualitative studies on care planning in LTC homes by employing rigorous search strategies and inclusion criteria to identify studies exploring barriers and facilitators. The review offers a comprehensive understanding of care planning determinants by capturing the perspectives of residents, family caregivers, substitute decision-makers, and other care providers. The following themes emerged in relation to care planning: barriers to care planning, including 1) poor communication among stakeholders; 2) inadequate resources to aid meaningful planning; 3) difficulty navigating complex planning roles; and 4) the absence of relational care. Regarding facilitators of care planning, the following themes emerged: the need to 1) promoting residents’ sense of significance and autonomy in decision-making; 2) encouraging discussions on health promotion; 3) communicating care planning with clarity; and 4) promoting relational care. The findings will inform evidence-based practices, promoting individual-centered care and ultimately improving health outcomes for LTC residents. The implications for practice are for clinical leaders to adopt a philosophy of care that optimizes the facilitators identified in this review and delimits the barriers to effective care planning in LTC settings.

Keywords: Quality improvement, care planning, care plans, long-term care, health outcomes, residents’ care, care homes

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Citation

Iduye, S., Museve, A., McKibbon, S., & Agboji, A. (2026). Understanding Care Planning in Long-term Care Homes: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Evidence on Barriers and Facilitators. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 10(1), 198-221. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/17461

Iduye, S., Museve, A., McKibbon, S., and Agboji, A. (2026). Understanding Care Planning in Long-term Care Homes: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Evidence on Barriers and Facilitators. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 10(1), pp. 198-221. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/17461

Iduye S, Museve A, McKibbon S, Agboji A. Understanding Care Planning in Long-term Care Homes: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Evidence on Barriers and Facilitators. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2026;10(1), 198-221. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/17461

Iduye, Steve, Audrey Museve, Shelley McKibbon, and Aderonke Agboji. "Understanding Care Planning in Long-term Care Homes: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Evidence on Barriers and Facilitators". American Journal of Qualitative Research 2026 10 no. 1 (2026): 198-221. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/17461

Iduye, Steve et al. "Understanding Care Planning in Long-term Care Homes: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Evidence on Barriers and Facilitators". American Journal of Qualitative Research, vol. 10, no. 1, 2026, pp. 198-221. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/17461

Iduye S, Museve A, McKibbon S, Agboji A. Understanding Care Planning in Long-term Care Homes: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Evidence on Barriers and Facilitators. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2026;10(1):198-221. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/17461