There is a lot of discussion about ‘new’ models of general practice and primary care.1 I am currently in the US where health service reform is moving apace to improve the patient experience and outcomes, and reduce costs. What is frequently forgotten in a lot of these discussions is that primary care providers, including GPs, advanced nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other members of the co-located team, will not necessarily have the skills to work collaboratively together. Although interprofessional education is a feature of many undergraduate health professional programmes in the UK, Australia, and elsewhere, the majority of graduates are not ‘collaborative-ready’, are unused to working in teams with other professionals, and are frequently unaware of the roles and responsibilities of their colleagues. Once qualified, interprofessional development is also less common. New models of care require changes to education and training. Interprofessional collaborative practice is the way forward, but there will need to be investment in preparing the workforce for this way of interacting.
Also, I understand from architects that round buildings are very expensive to build.
- © British Journal of General Practice 2016
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