Table 1 Theme Analysis for role conception

Traditional hierarchy

Paternalistic intellectual authority

A pharmacist said, “Should we consult with a physician directly about such a casual thing?”

Unreachable and of superior rank in hierarchy

B care manger said, “We have the preconception and strong notion that because they are physicians, we have to be careful in the way we communicate.”

C care manger said, “How can we speak to physicians tactfully so that they would ‘come down’ to our level?”

Unchallengeable authority

D care giver said, “Simply because they are physicians, we tend to stand on guard.”

Physician- centered Biomedical Model

Adherence to physician’s diagnosis of disease, excluding all else

E government staff said, “We hear from patients that they were only able to tell the physician a few things when they come face to face.”

Absolute value of recovery from disease

F MSW said, “It’s about individual words that are used but we want physicians to make a clearer distinction between the positive and negative (when explaining about the disease). We don’t know what to do when physicians tell us what not to do (in order to get better from an illness).”

Personal Character

Criticism

G MSW said, “We can’t say anything because we would be in trouble if someone says ‘the care manager said so without consultation.’”

Autonomy

H care manager said, “There are physicians who do not see patients even if patients request it.”

Closedness

I care manager said, “I don’t want us to be apportioning blame to each other but we find it difficult when we are told caregiving is for you to do and dispensing drugs is for us to do, and so on.”

J Daily-life Support Coordinator said, “Do all physicians get notified by letter when a community-based integrated care conference is held? We never get physicians to attend.”