Teamwork for Primary and Shared Care: A Practical Workbook (Practical Guides for General Practice) Book

Primary health care in Britain and many other countries is undergoing a number of fundamental changes. These include the increasing recognition of lifestyle and environmental factors as determinants of ill health, the greater emphasis now placed on health promotion and prevention of illness, new contractual arrangements for general practitioners requiring greater accountability and value for money, and major advances in information technology. Specialist teams in hospital care are developing closer links with primary care, often with the help of facilitators or specialist nurses. This workbook aims to help them also to develop effectiveness in their own team and to work in cooperation with primary care teams. Medical audit is now an increasing concern of professionals and health authorities and trusts, and its implementation requires teamwork and facilitation. All these factors point towards the need for effective teamwork in primary care and specialist units, as well as communication between them. The workbook presents a programme of learning and practical exercises that can be undertakn within each team, preferably with the help of a facilitator. The plan is for all the professional members of the team to work on team development in 13 weekly sessions of about one hour, with some additional reading time and homework. This method has the advantage of being focused on the key issues and tasks facing each team, and taking the whole team one step nearer to the achievement of its goals. Talking about teamwork is not enough: it must be worked at if it is to be effective. This book is unique in the field of primary health care and shared care.Read More