Team tactics: a study of nurse collaboration in general practice

Abstract

THIS paper examines the extent and type of collab orative work amongst community and practice nurses based in general practice in relation to health promotion. The data were drawn from a quantitative and qualitative study carried out from Autumn 1991 to Spring 1992, which investigated the prevention of coronary heart disease in general practice and the role of community nurses. This study formed part of a national survey of health promotion in general prac tice in relation to coronary heart disease, com missioned by the HEA and undertaken in collaboration with Kent University Centre of Health Services Studies. The study shows that there is mutual support and communication between prac tice nurses, health visitors and district nurses. How ever there is a strict division of labour within general practice which does not necessarily maximise the expertise and skills of the nurses concerned, and further training needs are identified. The new ar rangements for health promotion in the GP contract place emphasis on practice-based team work, to which the role of community nurses is central, but important management and training issues will need to be addressed for such team work to be successful.