Increasing collaboration between health professionals:  Clues and challenges

Nelson Alberto Aguirre Duarte

doi:10.25100/cm.v46i2.1526

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Increasing collaboration between health professionals: Clues and challenges

https://doi.org/10.25100/cm.v46i2.1526

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Published: Jun 30, 2015

Updated: 2015-06-30

Issue: Vol. 46 No. 2 (2015)

Section Original Articles

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Authors

Nelson Alberto Aguirre Duarte The University of Auckland Universidad del Rosario Universidad Javeriana

Abstract

Background: Scholars have recently started to pay more attention in the potential of the inter-professional relationship between general practitioners and specialists to improve outcomes, through consideration given to the effect on prescribing practices. However, more empirical research is needed.

Objective: To explore inter-professional network factors that may explain the effects on General Practitioners prescription behaviours.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in an integrated diabetes care program. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews from 16 health practices and a hospital diabetes clinic, using a convenience sample of general practitioners, practice nurses, diabetes nurse specialists, and endocrinologists. A conceptual mapping was performed to identify factors underlying networks and effects on patient outcomes.

Results: Four themes with their concepts emerged from the conceptual map. These demonstrated the need for building effective communication channels to share experience and knowledge timely in diabetes care. Communication, collaboration, and coordination are critical factors to influence prescription behaviours within primary and secondary care.

Conclusions: Conceptual mapping allowed an understanding of factors that might explain how links between health professionals can improve patient outcomes at the primary and secondary care interface.

Keywords

Integrated health care systems

Health networks

communication

collaboration

Coordination

Author Biography

Nelson Alberto Aguirre Duarte, The University of Auckland Universidad del Rosario Universidad Javeriana

Medical Doctor and Surgeon. Master in Management and Business Administration. PhD in Health Sciences.

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How to Cite

Aguirre Duarte, N. A. (2015). Increasing collaboration between health professionals: Clues and challenges. Colombia Medica, 46(2), 66–70. https://doi.org/10.25100/cm.v46i2.1526