[Local groups as a tool for quality assurance of community health services].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to assess the use of local interprofessional or audit groups as a tool of quality enhancement.


METHODS
Fifty-six doctors, physiotherapists and nurses attended nine local interprofessional groups. The aim was to improve the quality of each professional's practice and to improve communication between the professions.


RESULTS
The groups had a total of 62 meetings with each professional attending on average 5.7 meetings. All groups initiated quality enhancement projects. Initially the groups were very active and showed great initiative, but there were few final results. However, many groups reported improved communication and cooperation between the participating professionals.


CONCLUSIONS
The experience from this project may be summarised as follows: The professionals within one and the same group should have more or less the same background and specialty. We recommend caution with organising interprofessional groups unless their participants work in the same practice. Interprofessional groups should spend adequate time for the members to get to know each other, and they should be guided by an experienced leader.
Mjell
J
J
Institutt for allmenn- og samfunnsmedisin Universitetet i Oslo Postboks 1130 Blindern 0317 Oslo. jomjell@online.no
Hjortdahl
P
P
D003142:Communication; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009664:Norway; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D000078329:Workforce