Abstract
Introduction:Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is becoming more widespread in primary care due to the increasing complex needs of patients. However, its implementation can be challenging. We aimed to identify barriers and facilitators of IPC in primary care settings.Methods:An overview of reviews was carried out. Nine databases were searched, and two independent reviewers took part in review selection, data extraction and quality assessment. A thematic synthesis was carried out to highlight the main barriers and facilitators, according to the type of IPC and their level of intervention (system, organizational, inter-individual and individual).Results:Twenty-nine reviews were included, classified according to six types of IPC: IPC in primary care (large scope) (n = 11), primary care physician (PCP)-nurse in primary care (n = 2), PCP-specialty care provider (n = 3), PCP-pharmacist (n = 2), PCP-mental health care provider (n = 6), and intersectoral collaboration (n = 5). Most barriers and facilitators were reported at the organizational and inter-individual levels. Main barriers referred to lack of time and training, lack of clear roles, fears relating to professional identity and poor communication. Principal facilitators included tools to improve communication, co-location and recognition of other professionals’ skills and contribution.Conclusions:The range of barriers and facilitators highlighted in this overview goes beyond specific local contexts and can prove useful for the development of tools or guidelines for successful implementation of IPC in primary care.
Highlights
Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is becoming more widespread in primary care due to the increasing complex needs of patients
The ageing population and growing burden of chronic diseases have brought new challenges for healthcare systems, and primary care, with higher risks of care fragmentation, poorer quality of care, and higher health costs. This has led to the development of new models of care, such as those based on interprofessional collaboration (IPC) to improve health care processes, patient outcomes and reduce health costs in primary care [1,2,3,4]
SYNTHESIS OF RESULTS The textual content relating to barriers and facilitators identified in the reviews were coded separately using thematic synthesis according to the Braun & Clarke method [29] and using the Maxqda® (v.11) software
Summary
Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is becoming more widespread in primary care due to the increasing complex needs of patients. The ageing population and growing burden of chronic diseases have brought new challenges for healthcare systems, and primary care, with higher risks of care fragmentation, poorer quality of care, and higher health costs. This has led to the development of new models of care, such as those based on interprofessional collaboration (IPC) to improve health care processes, patient outcomes and reduce health costs in primary care [1,2,3,4]. The current article presents the results related to the identification of the main barriers and facilitators of IPC ( referred to as factors) in primary care
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