title: Terminal care: improving teamwork in primary care using Significant Event Analysis.
abstract: Significant Event Analysis can be used to improve the effectiveness of a Primary Health Care Team caring for terminally ill patients. A method of doing this is described in detail. Positive team qualities were confirmed and enhanced. Significant areas for improvement were identified: insufficient information had been given to some key workers, changes in medication had been poorly planned, continuity of care, and emotional and professional support of team members were inadequate. A strategy for change was developed and implemented. Performance was reviewed a year later. It was found that the Significant Event Analysis had caused changes in team practices, and was valid and reliable enough to be used as a tool for improving teamwork in primary care in future.
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Benett
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Danczak
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*