Correspondence
Development and early experience from an intervention to facilitate teamwork between general practices and allied health providers: the Team-link study
1 Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales, UNSW, Sydney, 2052, Australia
2 Central Sydney GP Network, 158 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield, 2131, Australia
3 School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, UNSW, Sydney, 2052, Australia
BMC Health Services Research 2010, 10:104 doi:10.1186/1472-6963-10-104
Published: 27 April 2010Abstract
Background
This paper describes the development and implementation of an intervention to facilitate teamwork between general practice and outside allied and community health services and providers.
Methods
A review of organizational theory and a qualitative study of 9 practices was used to design an intervention which was applied in four Divisions of General Practice and 26 urban practices. Clinical record review and qualitative interviews with participants were used to determine the key lessons from its implementation.
Results
Facilitating teamwork across organizational boundaries was very challenging. The quality of the relationship between professionals was of key importance. This was enabled by joint education and direct communication between providers. Practice nurses were key links between general practices and allied and community health services.
Conclusions
Current arrangements for Team Care planning provide increased opportunities for access to allied health. However the current paper based system is insufficient to build relationships or effectively share roles as part of a patient care team. Facilitation is feasible but constrained by barriers to communication and trust.
