M N Marshall1. 1. Institute of General Practice, Postgraduate Medical School, University of Exeter.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The professional relationship between general practitioners (GPs) and hospital consultants (sometimes referred to as 'specialists') is important in a health care system based upon the generalist as the first point of contact for patients and the gatekeeper for hospital services. This relationship has been the subject of considerable interest over the years, but little empirical research has been carried out. AIM: To investigate the professional relationship in terms of the balance between cooperation and conflict between GPs and specialists in clinical contact. METHOD: A qualitative study using 24 semistructured interviews and four focus group interviews with a purposeful sample of clinicians working in the south-west of England. A content analysis of the data was performed. RESULTS: There is a high level of mutual respect and cooperation between the two branches of the profession and a strong desire to build a personal relationship over a long period of time. There are few areas of significant disagreement; indeed, most members of both branches of the profession try hard to deal with, or avoid, potential conflict. CONCLUSION: The professional relationship between GPs and specialists is better than the literature and anecdotal stories might suggest.
BACKGROUND: The professional relationship between general practitioners (GPs) and hospital consultants (sometimes referred to as 'specialists') is important in a health care system based upon the generalist as the first point of contact for patients and the gatekeeper for hospital services. This relationship has been the subject of considerable interest over the years, but little empirical research has been carried out. AIM: To investigate the professional relationship in terms of the balance between cooperation and conflict between GPs and specialists in clinical contact. METHOD: A qualitative study using 24 semistructured interviews and four focus group interviews with a purposeful sample of clinicians working in the south-west of England. A content analysis of the data was performed. RESULTS: There is a high level of mutual respect and cooperation between the two branches of the profession and a strong desire to build a personal relationship over a long period of time. There are few areas of significant disagreement; indeed, most members of both branches of the profession try hard to deal with, or avoid, potential conflict. CONCLUSION: The professional relationship between GPs and specialists is better than the literature and anecdotal stories might suggest.
Authors: E Ferrand; P Jabre; S Fernandez-Curiel; F Morin; C Vincent-Genod; P Duvaldestin; F Lemaire; C Hervé; J Marty Journal: J Med Ethics Date: 2006-12 Impact factor: 2.903
Authors: P B Jacklin; J A Roberts; P Wallace; A Haines; R Harrison; J A Barber; S G Thompson; L Lewis; R Currell; S Parker; P Wainwright Journal: BMJ Date: 2003-07-12
Authors: Annette J Berendsen; Wim H G M Benneker; Jan Schuling; Nienke Rijkers-Koorn; Joris P J Slaets; Betty Meyboom-de Jong Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2006-12-04 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Annette J Berendsen; Wim H G M Benneker; Betty Meyboom-de Jong; Niek S Klazinga; Jan Schuling Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2007-01-05 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Paul Wallace; Andrew Haines; Robert Harrison; Julie A Barber; Simon Thompson; Jennifer Roberts; Paul B Jacklin; Leo Lewis; Paul Wainwright Journal: BMC Fam Pract Date: 2002-01-11 Impact factor: 2.497
Authors: Amnah Ali Abdulqader Elagi; Basem Amer Jaber; Almonther Hussain Ahmed Wassly; Ruba Mohammed Sallam Ahmed; Fatimah Ali Ahmed Bosily Journal: J Family Med Prim Care Date: 2019-10-31