Communication Methods and Perceived Timeliness of Information-Sharing Between Visiting Nurses and Primary Care Physicians in Japanese Home Healthcare

Background: Although timely communication between visiting nurses and primary care physicians is a key component of care coordination in home healthcare, few studies have examined how communication methods contribute to the timeliness of information-sharing. This study examined the association between the communication methods used by these professionals and physicians’ perceived timeliness of information-sharing in Japanese home healthcare. Methods: We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study in 2024 involving patients receiving home visits from physicians. Patient-related data were collected using questionnaires completed by physicians. The outcome was physician-reported perceived timeliness of information-sharing for each patient, measured on a seven-point Likert scale (1 = not at all timely, 7 = extremely timely). Because communication methods were not mutually exclusive, they were entered simultaneously into a multivariable linear mixed-effects model with facility- and physician-level random intercepts. Results: Overall, 363 patients were included in the analysis. The mean timeliness score was 5.4 (standard deviation 1.2). In multivariable linear mixed-effects models, using an information and communication technology (ICT)-based system was significantly associated with higher timeliness scores compared with non-use (adjusted mean difference 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69-1.20). Face-to-face interaction and telephone communication were also independently associated with significantly higher scores (0.61 [95% CI: 0.39-0.83] and 0.49 [95% CI: 0.28-0.71], respectively). Conclusions: Physicians reported higher timeliness of information-sharing when ICT-based systems, face-to-face interaction, or telephone communication were used, compared with non-use. Although confidence intervals overlapped, ICT-based systems showed the largest point estimate, highlighting their potential contribution to timely collaboration alongside traditional communication methods.