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Australian Journal of Primary Health Australian Journal of Primary Health Society
The issues influencing community health services and primary health care
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Multidisciplinary collaboration in primary care: through the eyes of patients

Lynn H. Cheong A , Carol L. Armour B and Sinthia Z. Bosnic-Anticevich A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Faculty of Pharmacy, Building A15, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

B Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, 431 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, NSW 2037, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: sinthia.bosnic-anticevich@sydney.edu.au

Australian Journal of Primary Health 19(3) 190-197 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY12019
Submitted: 17 February 2012  Accepted: 30 May 2012   Published: 31 July 2012

Abstract

Managing chronic illness is highly complex and the pathways to access health care for the patient are unpredictable and often unknown. While multidisciplinary care (MDC) arrangements are promoted in the Australian primary health care system, there is a paucity of research on multidisciplinary collaboration from patients’ perspectives. This exploratory study is the first to gain an understanding of the experiences, perceptions, attitudes and potential role of people with chronic illness (asthma) on the delivery of MDC in the Australian primary health care setting. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with asthma patients from Sydney, Australia. Qualitative analysis of data indicates that patients are significant players in MDC and their perceptions of their chronic condition, perceived roles of health care professionals, and expectations of health care delivery, influence their participation and attitudes towards multidisciplinary services. Our research shows the challenges presented by patients in the delivery and establishment of multidisciplinary health care teams, and highlights the need to consider patients’ perspectives in the development of MDC models in primary care.

Additional keywords: general medical practitioner, interprofessional care, pharmacist.


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