Exploring interprofessional collaboration in general practice: a survey among the general practitioners in Finland

Kadri Suija, Anna Miettinen, Ulla Mikkonen, Nina Tusa, Pekka Mäntyselkä, Henna Saari

Keywords: interprofessional collaboration; general practice

Background:

In a rapidly changing world, collaborative interprofessional work is essential in providing patient centred care when a patient has complex needs. General practitioners (GP) have a crucial role in collaborative practices of managing patients' diverse needs such as mental health problems and multimorbidity. However, implementing interprofessional practices can be challenging, and little is known on which collaborative practices GPs consider important.

Research questions:

The aim of this study was to analyse good implementation practices of interprofessional collaboration in the general practice setting.

Method:

We conducted a web-based survey among GPs working in Finland from May to October in 2023. The questionnaire with open-ended questions was developed by the research team. An invitation and link to the survey were sent by e-mail to the GPs through contact people in the wellbeing services areas. We analysed data using inductive thematic analysis. Analysis is ongoing and further results will be presented at the congress.

Results:

A total of 432 questionnaires were completed. The participants were spread all over Finland, 54% of them were specialists in general practice and 69% had more than five years of working experience as a GP. In the management of patients, integrating the expertise of different health care professionals was important for GPs. A prerequisite for this is enough staff, close communication (e.g. joint meetings) between team members. Regarding question about existing practices in implementing the interprofessional approach, GPs mentioned: joint appointments with a doctor and a nurse; direct (not via the doctor) access to other professionals (physiotherapist, mental health nurse, social worker); smaller centres that facilitate familiarisation with the team and support low-threshold consultation with other specialists.

Conclusions:

GPs valued interprofessional collaboration and working. GPs also identified existing interprofessional collaboration practices to enhance and implement in general practice.

Points for discussion:

further analysis

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