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Table 2 Ideas for better cooperation (findings from interprofessional focus groups)

From: Interprofessional collaboration in nursing homes (interprof): development and piloting of measures to improve interprofessional collaboration and communication: a qualitative multicentre study

Ideas for better cooperation

examples

Mutual accessibility

• use of faxes: obligatory processes, standardised forms, notation on urgency

• establish telephone consulting hours for the GP

• acute telephone calls: availability of mobile number of GP

• contact nurse in the nursing home: competent, informed, skilled, cross-shift, one mobile phone per living area (residential unit)

Fix date for GP’s visit

• fixed date: nursing home sets date, fixed weekday, timing of a 30 min period of time

• announcements and arrangements: via fax, timely cancellation of date by GP

• central telephone number in nursing home for information transfer

Preparation

Company during GPs’visits Postprocessing

• prior to visit: communication via fax, nurse compiles and prepares records, (standardised) prioritisation of inquiries

• preparation: chart round by GP and nurse

• resident visit: preferably with nurse, standardised documentation

• postprocessing: realisation in the responsibility of the nurse

• soft skills: reliability, trust, openness, agreements, sufficient time

Transparency

Definition of tasks

• regular exchange of medical information

• periodical assessment of diagnosis and therapy (GP)

• reliable/competent reporting (nurse)

• name badges

• clarification of responsibilities and expectations

• information about processes in the nursing home and GP practice

Appreciation and respect

• mutual respect, trust, tolerance of mistakes

• establishment of a communication culture

• acknowledgement of nurse /GP competencies (feedback, enough time, listening, GP asks for suggestions from nurses)

• to be on equal level, provision of patient care in partnership