OBJECTIVE: To find the views and expectations of professionals working at primary care centres on team-work. DESIGN: Qualitative study. Focus group. SETTING: The study was conducted during May 1997 at the following primary care centres: Terrassa North, Sant Llatzer (Terrassa) and Antón de Borja (Rubí). These PCCs depend on the Department of Health and Social Security and are managed by the Terrassa Health Consortium. PARTICIPANTS: 38 primary care professionals, distributed in 5 independent groups of 8 doctors, 9 nurses, 3 social workers, 9 clerical staff and 9 auxiliaries. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Qualitative methodology and focal group technique were used. Contents of session transcriptions were analysed and the information classified according to themes. Views on the definition of team-work, basic aspects of its proper functioning, restrictions met by professionals at present and suggestions to overcome these restrictions were all identified. CONCLUSIONS: The setting of objectives, the clear and structured definition of the functions of each professional group, the participation of all the team components in decision-taking, communication, and positive enabling approaches to team-work were all specified as basic features of the team's proper functioning. Ill-defined functions, few meetings, heterogeneity within the teams, scant team-work training, and passive and ill-adapted approaches were seen as restrictions. Training, the coordinator's activities, more meetings and changes in attitude were posed as alternatives.
OBJECTIVE: To find the views and expectations of professionals working at primary care centres on team-work. DESIGN: Qualitative study. Focus group. SETTING: The study was conducted during May 1997 at the following primary care centres: Terrassa North, Sant Llatzer (Terrassa) and Antón de Borja (Rubí). These PCCs depend on the Department of Health and Social Security and are managed by the Terrassa Health Consortium. PARTICIPANTS: 38 primary care professionals, distributed in 5 independent groups of 8 doctors, 9 nurses, 3 social workers, 9 clerical staff and 9 auxiliaries. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Qualitative methodology and focal group technique were used. Contents of session transcriptions were analysed and the information classified according to themes. Views on the definition of team-work, basic aspects of its proper functioning, restrictions met by professionals at present and suggestions to overcome these restrictions were all identified. CONCLUSIONS: The setting of objectives, the clear and structured definition of the functions of each professional group, the participation of all the team components in decision-taking, communication, and positive enabling approaches to team-work were all specified as basic features of the team's proper functioning. Ill-defined functions, few meetings, heterogeneity within the teams, scant team-work training, and passive and ill-adapted approaches were seen as restrictions. Training, the coordinator's activities, more meetings and changes in attitude were posed as alternatives.
Authors: F Palacio Lapuente; R Marquet Palomar; A Oliver Esteve; P Castro Guardiola; M Bel Reverter; J L Piñol Moreso Journal: Aten Primaria Date: 2003 Impact factor: 1.137