title: GP and pharmacist inter-professional learning - a grounded theory study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Practice Based Small Group Learning (PBSGL) is an established learning resource for primary care clinicians in Scotland and is used by one-third of general practitioners (GPs). Scottish Government and UK professional bodies have called for GPs and pharmacists to work more closely together to improve care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To gain GPs' and pharmacists' perceptions and experiences of learning together in an inter-professional PBSGL pilot.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative research methods involving established GP PBSGL groups in NHS Scotland recruiting one or two pharmacists to join them.
  
  
  METHODS
  A grounded theory method was used. GPs were interviewed in focus groups by a fellow GP, and pharmacists were interviewed individually by two researchers, neither being a GP or a pharmacist. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using grounded theory methods. Data saturation was achieved and confirmed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Three themes were identified: GPs' and pharmacists' perceptions and experiences of inter-professional learning; Inter-professional relationships and team-working; Group identity and purpose of existing GP groups. Pharmacists were welcomed into GP groups and both professions valued inter-professional PBSGL learning. Participants learned from each other and both professions gained a wider perspective of the NHS and of each others' roles in the organisation. Inter-professional relationships, communication and team-working were strengthened and professionals regarded each other as peers and friends.
authors.affiliation: a NHS Education for Scotland , Glasgow , UK.
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.affiliation: a NHS Education for Scotland , Glasgow , UK.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.affiliation: a NHS Education for Scotland , Glasgow , UK.
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wakeling
authors.affiliation: a NHS Education for Scotland , Glasgow , UK.
authors.forename: Leon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zlotos
authors.affiliation: a NHS Education for Scotland , Glasgow , UK.
authors.forename: Ailsa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Power
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004512:Education, Pharmacy; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000193:education*; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012606:Scotland; D013222:State Medicine
keywords: Primary health care; general practice; inter-professional relations; learning; pharmacy