Abstract
SummaryBackgroundHealth services research, especially in primary care, is challenging because the systems differ widely between countries. This study aimed to explore the different understanding of the terminology used, particularly, regarding the professions nursing and medical secretaries.MethodsThe study was an add-on study to the Quality and Costs in Primary Care (QUALICOPC) project in Austria and designed as qualitative research. The qualitative phase was conducted by using semi-structured telephone interviews with general practitioners (GP). and17 GPs participated in the study.ResultsNo uniform meaning of the terms commonly utilized for the abovementioned health professions could be found among Austrian GPs. For example, under the profession term practice assistants, nurses as well as literal medical secretaries with and without special education and related work competencies and responsibilities were subsumed.ConclusionsOur study results show that no uniform meaning of the terms commonly utilized for above described health profession could be found even within one country by GPs. These findings are highly relevant, especially, when trying to compare results with similar data from other countries or negotiating about workforce issues. Our findings implicate several action points for health services research and health policy. We propose the development of a harmonized terminology in Europe for the health profession based on standards of undergraduate and postgraduate education, competencies and continuous education commitments. This would not only benefit comparative health system research but also patient safety across Europe.
Highlights
Primary care is becoming more and more popular worldwide because research over the last 40 years has provided evidence that strong primary care is associated with better health indicators, comparatively lower socioeconomic inequality and lower rates of unnecessary hospitalization [1,2,3,4]
Our study results show that no uniform meaning of the terms commonly utilized for above described health profession could be found even within one country by general practitioners (GP)
We propose the development of a harmonized terminology in Europe for the health profession based on standards of undergraduate and postgraduate education, competencies and continuous education commitments
Summary
Primary care is becoming more and more popular worldwide because research over the last 40 years has provided evidence that strong primary care is associated with better health indicators, comparatively lower socioeconomic inequality and lower rates of unnecessary hospitalization [1,2,3,4]. We analyzed the term “independently” in relation to the tasks and responsibilities of nurses and medical secretaries. Does it mean the person performs the task by alone (by order of someone who is subsequently accountable for the outcome) or does it mean the individual performs the task autonomously and is, accountable for it? Does it mean the person performs the task by alone (by order of someone who is subsequently accountable for the outcome) or does it mean the individual performs the task autonomously and is, accountable for it? It is not the pure linguistic focus that the paper wants to add, it has to do with the complex cultural intertwining of the way health systems and health services are shaped in Europe, and the words we used to indicate certain professionals in those services and systems
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