Abstract
The aims of this paper are to describe the development of an intervention to improve teamwork and systems in general practice that support the care of patients with diabetes, ischaemic heart disease and hypertension and to identify the challenges to implementing the intervention. Effective teamwork in general practice encompasses general practitioners (GP), clinical and non-clinical staff, each with clearly defined roles and opportunities to provide feedback and input into how the practice is run and chronic disease managed. The intervention implemented in this study provided an opportunity for key members of general practice teams to work with a facilitator on changes to improve teamwork over three practice visits over 612 months. Facilitators had experience in practice support and goal setting, an understanding of the Medicare Items and knowledge about teamwork and systems. The visits focussed on the specific needs and capacities of each practice, assisting the team to set manageable goals and building systems that best utilise the systemic and human resources available. Successful implementation of sustained change depended on strong leadership in the practice and cooperation between team members as well as clear and achievable goals being set. Structured facilitation of teamwork in general practice should focus on goal setting and the development of leadership and communication rather than delivery of information or resources.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 24-28 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Australian Journal of Primary Health |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Facilitating teamwork in general practice : Moving from theory to practice. / Taggart, J.; Schwartz, A.; Harris, M. F.; Perkins, D.; Davies, G. Powell; Proudfoot, J.; Fanaian, M.; Crookes, P.
In: Australian Journal of Primary Health, Vol. 15, No. 1, 01.12.2009, p. 24-28.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Facilitating teamwork in general practice
T2 - Moving from theory to practice
AU - Taggart, J.
AU - Schwartz, A.
AU - Harris, M. F.
AU - Perkins, D.
AU - Davies, G. Powell
AU - Proudfoot, J.
AU - Fanaian, M.
AU - Crookes, P.
PY - 2009/12/1
Y1 - 2009/12/1
N2 - The aims of this paper are to describe the development of an intervention to improve teamwork and systems in general practice that support the care of patients with diabetes, ischaemic heart disease and hypertension and to identify the challenges to implementing the intervention. Effective teamwork in general practice encompasses general practitioners (GP), clinical and non-clinical staff, each with clearly defined roles and opportunities to provide feedback and input into how the practice is run and chronic disease managed. The intervention implemented in this study provided an opportunity for key members of general practice teams to work with a facilitator on changes to improve teamwork over three practice visits over 612 months. Facilitators had experience in practice support and goal setting, an understanding of the Medicare Items and knowledge about teamwork and systems. The visits focussed on the specific needs and capacities of each practice, assisting the team to set manageable goals and building systems that best utilise the systemic and human resources available. Successful implementation of sustained change depended on strong leadership in the practice and cooperation between team members as well as clear and achievable goals being set. Structured facilitation of teamwork in general practice should focus on goal setting and the development of leadership and communication rather than delivery of information or resources.
AB - The aims of this paper are to describe the development of an intervention to improve teamwork and systems in general practice that support the care of patients with diabetes, ischaemic heart disease and hypertension and to identify the challenges to implementing the intervention. Effective teamwork in general practice encompasses general practitioners (GP), clinical and non-clinical staff, each with clearly defined roles and opportunities to provide feedback and input into how the practice is run and chronic disease managed. The intervention implemented in this study provided an opportunity for key members of general practice teams to work with a facilitator on changes to improve teamwork over three practice visits over 612 months. Facilitators had experience in practice support and goal setting, an understanding of the Medicare Items and knowledge about teamwork and systems. The visits focussed on the specific needs and capacities of each practice, assisting the team to set manageable goals and building systems that best utilise the systemic and human resources available. Successful implementation of sustained change depended on strong leadership in the practice and cooperation between team members as well as clear and achievable goals being set. Structured facilitation of teamwork in general practice should focus on goal setting and the development of leadership and communication rather than delivery of information or resources.
KW - Chronic illness
KW - Patient care teams
KW - Practice nurses
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=73849118276&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1071/PY08057
DO - 10.1071/PY08057
M3 - Article
VL - 15
SP - 24
EP - 28
JO - Australian Journal of Primary Health - Interchange
JF - Australian Journal of Primary Health - Interchange
SN - 1324-2296
IS - 1
ER -