The path to patient safety in primary health care – A study of nurses’ and general practitioners’ perceptions in Sweden

Abstract

National reforms that give patients the autonomy to select physicians or health care units are considered to have an impact on patient safety. There is, however, a lack of research addressing its application to primary health care. Qualitative content analysis was conducted with 14 semi-structured interviews to identify district nurses’ and general practitioners’ perceptions of practices they perceived contribute to patients’ safety. The DNs and GPs emphasized reciprocity, a holistic approach to patients’ varying needs, empowerment, and improving the organization of the health care center as central to patient safety. In contrast to other studies, there was strong consensus among primary healthcare professionals’ perceptions. The findings can be used to put focus on not just a holistic approach of reciprocity, but also on the organization and task oriented techniques in order to further increase the safety for the primary health care patient.