
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Finlayson, Mary 
A1  - Raymont, Antony 
T1  - Teamwork &#x96; general practitioners and practice nurses working together in New Zealand
JF  - Journal of Primary Health Care
JO  - J Prim Health Care
Y1  - 2012
VL  - 4
IS  - 2
SP  - 150
EP  - 155
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/HC12150 
N2  - INTRODUCTION: Teamwork in primary health care has been encouraged in New Zealand and in the international literature. It may improve work satisfaction for staff, and satisfaction and outcomes for patients. Teamwork may be classified as being multi-, inter- or transdisciplinary and is likely to be influenced by the nature of the work and the organisational context. AIM: To describe and analyse teamwork between general practitioners and practice nurses in New Zealand. METHODS: Data were drawn from a survey of general practices and from interviews with primary health care staff and management. RESULTS: Doctors and nurses in general practice in New Zealand see themselves as a team. Evidence suggests that the nature of the work and the business context most often leads to a multidisciplinary style of teamwork. Some providers have adopted a more intense teamwork approach, often when serving more disadvantaged populations or in caring for those with chronic illnesses. DISCUSSION: Concepts of teamwork differ. This article provides a classification of teams and suggests that most general practice teams are multidisciplinary. It is hoped that this will help personnel to communicate their expectations of a team and encourage progressive team development where it would be of value. KEYWORDS: Teamwork; primary care; practice nurses; general practitioners 
ER  -

