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Crespo-Gonzalez C, Hodgins M, Zurynski Y, Meyers Morris T, Le J, Wheeler K, Khano S, Germano S, Hiscock H, Lingam R. Advancing integrated paediatric care in Australian general practices: Qualitative insights from the SC4C GP-paediatrician model of care. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302815. [PMID: 38771818 PMCID: PMC11108132 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The Strengthening Care for Children (SC4C) is a general practitioner (GP)-paediatrician integrated model of care that consists of co-consulting sessions and case discussions in the general practice setting, with email and telephone support provided by paediatricians to GPs during weekdays. This model was implemented in 21 general practices in Australia (11 Victoria and 10 New South Wales). Our study aimed to identify the factors moderating the implementation of SC4C from the perspectives of GPs, general practice personnel, paediatricians and families. We conducted a qualitative study as part of the mixed-methods implementation evaluation of the SC4C trial. We collected data through virtual and in-person focus groups at the general practices and phone, virtual and in-person interviews. Data was analysed using an iterative hybrid inductive-deductive thematic analysis. Twenty-one focus groups and thirty-seven interviews were conducted. Overall, participants found SC4C acceptable and suitable for general practices, with GPs willing to learn and expand their paediatric care role. GPs cited improved confidence and knowledge due to the model. Paediatricians reported an enhanced understanding of the general practice context and the strain under which GPs work. GPs and paediatricians reported that this model allowed them to build trust-based relationships with a common goal of improving care for children. Additionally, they felt some aspects, including the lack of remuneration and the work and effort required to deliver the model, need to be considered for the long-term success of the model. Families expressed their satisfaction with the shared knowledge and quality of care jointly delivered by GPs and paediatricians and highlighted that this model of care provides easy access to specialty services without out-of-pocket costs. Future research should focus on finding strategies to ensure the long-term Implementation of this model of care with a particular focus on the individual stressors in general practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Crespo-Gonzalez
- Population Child Health Research Group, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Hodgins
- Population Child Health Research Group, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yvonne Zurynski
- Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tammy Meyers Morris
- Population Child Health Research Group, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jane Le
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Health Services and Economics Group, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karen Wheeler
- Population Child Health Research Group, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sonia Khano
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Health Services and Economics Group, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephanie Germano
- North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Harriet Hiscock
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Health Services and Economics Group, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Professorial Fellow, Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne
| | - Raghu Lingam
- Population Child Health Research Group, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Månsson Sandberg H, Landstad BJ, Tjulin Å, Brulin E. COVID-19- related work, managerial factors and exhaustion among general practitioners in Sweden: a cross-sectional study. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2023; 24:269. [PMID: 38087223 PMCID: PMC10717449 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-023-02228-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A significant number of international studies show that general practitioners (GPs) suffered from burnout when working during the COVID-19 pandemic. A Swedish study found that more than 16% of GPs had exhaustion in spring 2021. Exhaustion can be regarded as an initial stage of burnout. A knowledge gap remains on GPs´ working conditions, the impact of management during the pandemic and how it was associated with exhaustion. This study aims to explore the association between severe symptoms of exhaustion and COVID-19 pandemic-related work and managerial factors among Swedish GPs and whether managerial factors have an impact on the association between exhaustion and COVID-19-related work factors. METHODS Cross-sectional data was drawn from the Longitudinal Occupational Health survey in Health Care Sweden (LOHHCS), which included a representative sample of practicing doctors in Sweden. The sample consisted of 6699 doctors with a response rate of 41.2%. This study constitutes a sample of doctors who reported working in primary care facilities at the time of data collection, i.e. 1013 GPs. The Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) was used to assess severe symptoms of exhaustion. Questions were also asked about pandemic-related work and managerial factors. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression to identify the association between exhaustion, work and managerial factors. RESULTS The multivariate analysis showed that GPs who managed COVID-19 patients were about twice as likely to report severe symptoms of exhaustion. Further, GPs who reported that management was unsupportive, provided unsatisfactory working conditions and unsatisfactory policies for patient prioritisation were between two and four times more likely to report severe symptoms of exhaustion. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19-related work and managerial factors had a significant impact on the mental health of GPs. Furthermore, the potentially protective effect that satisfactory management actions had on mental health was limited. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and in preparation for future major crises that have a high impact on healthcare, there is a need to investigate the measures that can be taken to enable GPs to carry out their work, while maintaining their wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Månsson Sandberg
- Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Bodil J Landstad
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
- Unit of Research, Education and Development, Östersund Hospital, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Åsa Tjulin
- Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Emma Brulin
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Gu A, Willis K, Kay M, Hutt K, Smallwood N. 'We are largely left out': workplace and psychosocial experiences of Australian general practitioners during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Aust J Prim Health 2023; 29:47-55. [PMID: 36377238 DOI: 10.1071/py22103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic continues to exert a significant toll on the Australian primary healthcare system. Although wellbeing challenges faced by hospital-based healthcare workers are widely discussed, less is known about the experiences of general practitioners (GPs) during the initial phases of the pandemic. This paper reports qualitative survey data from Australian GPs, examining their workplace and psychosocial experiences during the initial months of the pandemic. METHODS An Australia-wide, cross-sectional, online survey of frontline healthcare workers was conducted in 2020. A qualitative approach using content analysis was utilised to examine responses to four free-text questions from GPs. RESULTS A total of 299 GPs provided 888 free-text responses. The findings reveal that general practice was overlooked and undervalued within the pandemic response, resulting in negative impacts on GP wellbeing. Four themes were identified: (1) marginalisation of GPs; (2) uncertainty, undersupported and undervalued in the workplace; (3) isolation and disrupted personal lives; and (4) strategies to support GPs during times of crises. Key concerns included poor access to personal protective equipment, occupational burnout and poor wellbeing, insufficient workplace support, and conflicting or confusing medical guidelines. CONCLUSIONS Primary healthcare constitutes an essential pillar of the Australian healthcare system. This study presents the many factors that impacted on GP wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Enabling GP voices to be heard and including GPs in decision-making in preparation for future crises will enhance the delivery of primary care, reducing the burden on hospital services, and help sustain a safe and effective health workforce long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen Gu
- Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia; and Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, Vic. 3050, Australia
| | - Karen Willis
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Footscray Park, Footscray, Vic. 3011, Australia
| | - Margaret Kay
- General Practice Clinical Unit, Level 8 Health Sciences Building, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia
| | - Kathryn Hutt
- Doctors' Health Advisory Service (NSW), Suite 207, 69 Christie Street, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Natasha Smallwood
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, 55 Commercial Road, Prahran, Vic. 3004, Australia; and Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia
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McGuinness SL, Josphin J, Eades O, Clifford S, Fisher J, Kirkman M, Russell G, Hodgson CL, Kelsall HL, Lane R, Skouteris H, Smith KL, Leder K. Organizational responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria, Australia: A qualitative study across four healthcare settings. Front Public Health 2022; 10:965664. [PMID: 36249244 PMCID: PMC9557753 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.965664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Organizational responses that support healthcare workers (HCWs) and mitigate health risks are necessary to offset the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to understand how HCWs and key personnel working in healthcare settings in Melbourne, Australia perceived their employing organizations' responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Method In this qualitative study, conducted May-July 2021 as part of the longitudinal Coronavirus in Victorian Healthcare and Aged Care Workers (COVIC-HA) study, we purposively sampled and interviewed HCWs and key personnel from healthcare organizations across hospital, ambulance, aged care and primary care (general practice) settings. We also examined HCWs' free-text responses to a question about organizational resources and/or supports from the COVIC-HA Study's baseline survey. We thematically analyzed data using an iterative process. Results We analyzed data from interviews with 28 HCWs and 21 key personnel and free-text responses from 365 HCWs, yielding three major themes: navigating a changing and uncertain environment, maintaining service delivery during a pandemic, and meeting the safety and psychological needs of staff . HCWs valued organizational efforts to engage openly and honesty with staff, and proactive responses such as strategies to enhance workplace safety (e.g., personal protective equipment spotters). Suggestions for improvement identified in the themes included streamlined information processes, greater involvement of HCWs in decision-making, increased investment in staff wellbeing initiatives and sustainable approaches to strengthen the healthcare workforce. Conclusions This study provides in-depth insights into the challenges and successes of organizational responses across four healthcare settings in the uncertain environment of a pandemic. Future efforts to mitigate the impact of acute stressors on HCWs should include a strong focus on bidirectional communication, effective and realistic strategies to strengthen and sustain the healthcare workforce, and greater investment in flexible and meaningful psychological support and wellbeing initiatives for HCWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L. McGuinness
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,*Correspondence: Sarah L. McGuinness
| | - Johnson Josphin
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Owen Eades
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sharon Clifford
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jane Fisher
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Maggie Kirkman
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Grant Russell
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Carol L. Hodgson
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Helen L. Kelsall
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Riki Lane
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Helen Skouteris
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Karen L. Smith
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Ambulance Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Karin Leder
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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