Patient-centred interprofessional collaboration and integration in primary care. A qualitative study.

Muhammed Mustafa Sirimsi, Kris Van Den Broeck, Hans De Loof, Kristel De Vliegher, Peter Van Bogaert

Keywords: Integrated care, interprofessional collaboration, patient-centred care, health economics, primary care, public health

Background:

Interprofessional collaboration and integration (IPC&I) is a crucial aspect of primary care (PC) where patients often require the coordinated efforts of multiple caregivers. To achieve this, effective and patient-centred communication (PCC) is necessary to ensure that the patient's needs and preferences are central to the care process. PCC has been shown to enhance patient satisfaction and improve health outcomes.

Research questions:

How do caregivers experience the treatment of chronic patients regarding patient-centred IPC&I in PC?
What are the needs and preferences of caregivers to improve IPC&I in PC?
How to establish a patient-centred IPC&I in PC?

Method:

This study used a qualitative descriptive design with thematic analysis and explored caregivers’ experiences regarding IPC&I in PC. In total, five focus groups (FGs) were performed in three waves, with in total 36 caregivers, academics, policymakers and members of patient organisations, using maximum variation sampling. Wave one included an FG with five participants (academics and/or caregivers), wave two consisted of three separate FGs, with 23 participants (academics, patient organisations, and policymakers), and wave three was performed with seven participants chosen from the second wave.

Results:

The participants represented a broad range of disciplines working in PC ensuring a multidisciplinary character of the FGs. The interviews lasted between 68 and 123 min, and the research resulted in the following five themes: (i) Readiness and attitude towards IPC&I, (ii) IPC&I to improve the quality of care, (iii) having a patient-centred IPC&I, (iv) the need for education to normalise IPC&I, and (v) financial systems - practice organisation.

Conclusions:

Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the experiences of caregivers in treating chronic patients in PC through patient-centred IPC&I and the need for improvement in this area. The findings of this study can inform the development of policies and education programs to improve the quality of care for chronic patients in PC.

Points for discussion:

Achieving a patient-centred interprofessional collaboration and integration in primary care

To facilitate patient-centered care, appropriate financial systems need to be in place.

The relationship between interprofessional collaboration and quality of care.