Abstract
Objectives: To determine the impact upon clinicians and any consequent influence upon patient care of taking part in the bespoke interface-focused educational intervention.
Design: Qualitative design.
Setting: Primary and secondary care centres in NHS Highland health board area, Scotland.
Participants: 33 Urban based clinicians (18 general practitioners and 15 hospital specialists) in NHS Highland, Scotland.
Intervention: An interface focused educational intervention was carried out in primary and secondary care centres in NHS Highland health board area, Scotland. Eligible clinicians were invited to take part in the intervention which involved facilitated small group work, and use of a bespoke educational module. Subsequent one-to-one interviews explored the impact of the intervention. A standard thematic analysis was used, comprising an iterative process based on grounded theory.
Results: Key themes that emerged included fresh insights (in relation to those individuals and processes across the interface), adoption of new behaviours (e.g. being more empowered to directly contact a colleague, taking steps to reduce the others’ workload, and changes in professional approach), and changes in terms of communication (including a desire to communicate more effectively, with use of different modes and methods).
Conclusion: The study highlighted key areas that may serve as useful outcomes for a large scale randomised trial. Addressing issues identified in the study may help to improve interface relationships and benefit patient care.
Design: Qualitative design.
Setting: Primary and secondary care centres in NHS Highland health board area, Scotland.
Participants: 33 Urban based clinicians (18 general practitioners and 15 hospital specialists) in NHS Highland, Scotland.
Intervention: An interface focused educational intervention was carried out in primary and secondary care centres in NHS Highland health board area, Scotland. Eligible clinicians were invited to take part in the intervention which involved facilitated small group work, and use of a bespoke educational module. Subsequent one-to-one interviews explored the impact of the intervention. A standard thematic analysis was used, comprising an iterative process based on grounded theory.
Results: Key themes that emerged included fresh insights (in relation to those individuals and processes across the interface), adoption of new behaviours (e.g. being more empowered to directly contact a colleague, taking steps to reduce the others’ workload, and changes in professional approach), and changes in terms of communication (including a desire to communicate more effectively, with use of different modes and methods).
Conclusion: The study highlighted key areas that may serve as useful outcomes for a large scale randomised trial. Addressing issues identified in the study may help to improve interface relationships and benefit patient care.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e016593 |
| Journal | BMJ Open |
| Volume | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2017 |
Bibliographical note
This work was supported by NHS Highland Research & Development Committee [ref HIGHLAND 976]. The Chief Investigator (Dr Rod Sampson) received no personal payment for the study. No drug company was involved in this research. Group Facilitators Mr Angus Cain (Consultant Ear, Nose & Throat), Dr Sian Jones (General Practice Principal), Dr Jerry O’Rourke (General Practice Principal), Professor Ken Walker (Consultant Colorectal Surgeon), all based in NHS Highland. Gillian Heron, Cairn Medical Practice for transcription services.Keywords
- interface
- primary healthcare
- secondary care
- complex interventions
- patient care