title: Influence of a quality improvement learning collaborative program on team functioning in primary healthcare.
abstract: Quality improvement (QI) programs are frequently implemented to support primary healthcare (PHC) team development and to improve care outcomes. In Ontario, Canada, the Quality Improvement and Innovation Partnership (QIIP) offered a learning collaborative (LC) program to support the development of interdisciplinary team function and improve chronic disease management, disease prevention, and access to care. A qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was conducted as part of a mixed-method evaluation to explore the influence of the program on team functioning in participating PHC teams. A purposive sampling strategy was used to identify PHC teams (n = 10), from which participants of different professional roles were selected through a purposeful recruitment process to reflect maximum variation of team roles. Additionally, QI coaches working with the interview participants and the LC administrators were also interviewed. Data were collected through semistructured telephone interviews that were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was conducted through an iterative and interpretive approach. The shared experience of participating in the program appeared to improve team functioning. Participants described increased trust and respect for each other's clinical and administrative roles and were inspired by learning about different approaches to interdisciplinary care. This appeared to enhance collegial relationships, collapse professional silos, improve communication, and increase interdisciplinary collaboration. Teamwork involves more than just physically grouping healthcare providers from multiple disciplines and mandating them to work together. The LC program provided opportunities for participants to learn how to work collaboratively, and participation in the LC program appeared to enhance team functioning.
authors: Centre for Studies in Primary Care.
authors: Jyoti
authors: J
authors: Kotecha
authors: Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine, Western University.
authors: Judith Belle
authors: JB
authors: Brown
authors: Centre for Studies in Primary Care, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Queen's University.
authors: Han
authors: H
authors: Han
authors: Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine, Western University.
authors: Stewart B
authors: SB
authors: Harris
authors: Centre for Studies in Primary Care, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Queen's University.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Green
authors: Southern Academic Primary Care Research Unit, School of Primary Health Care, Monash University.
authors: Grant
authors: G
authors: Russell
authors: Renison University College, Department of Social Development Studies, University of Waterloo.
authors: Sharon
authors: S
authors: Roberts
authors: Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine, Western University.
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Webster-Bogaert
authors: Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine, Western University.
authors: Meghan
authors: M
authors: Fournie
authors: Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine, Western University.
authors: Amardeep
authors: A
authors: Thind
authors: Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine, Western University.
authors: Sonja M
authors: SM
authors: Reichert
authors: Centre for Studies in Primary Care, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Queen's University.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Birtwhistle
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009864:Ontario; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000639:trends; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D036301:Qualitative Research; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends*