[Interdisciplinary working teams--better for both the patients and the staff].
BACKGROUND
Patients in Norwegian hospitals often feel that they do not know which specialist is responsible for their treatment. We report on a reorganisation carried out in the orthopaedic department at Buskerud county hospital in 1997-98.


METHODS
Staff members are allocated to five groups, each responsible for 12-15 beds and including one or two specialists, one or two residents, nurses, physiotherapists and secretaries. Patients are treated by the same group throughout their stay in hospital; the group's specialist is responsible for each patient's treatment.


RESULTS
A study established that patient satisfaction with the organisation of the department was higher in 1998 and 2000 than in 1996, and more patients felt that one specialist was responsible for their treatment. A high percentage of staff members were satisfied with the reorganisation. The system may, however, be vulnerable, as it demands exact planning and a high degree of staff loyalty.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that this mode of organisation benefits patients as well as staff.
Hammer
Siri Vedeld
SV
Ortopedisk avdeling Sykehuset Buskerud 3004 Drammen. siri.hammervedeld@ulleval.no
Snorrason
Finnur
F
Langeland
Norvald
N
D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015285:Hospital-Patient Relations; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D009664:Norway; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires