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A narrative review and synthesis to inform health workforce preparation for the Health Care Homes model in primary healthcare in Australia

journal contribution
posted on 2024-05-21, 03:45 authored by Rachel Susan McKittrickRachel Susan McKittrick, Rosemary McKenzie
The Australian Government Health Care Homes (HCH) model recently implemented in general practice targets people with chronic complex conditions. Identifying how general practitioners (GPs) and practice nurses (PNs) can work within this model is important given existing health workforce challenges. A narrative review and synthesis has been undertaken to develop a preliminary understanding of this, incorporating literature describing health workforce challenges, GP and PN functions, and team-based care; supplemented by interviews with key informants from within the primary healthcare system. Narrative synthesis principles guided literature analysis. Interview data were thematically analysed. A clear rationale for health workforce reform was ascertained and functions for the GP and PN under the HCH model were determined. The model was found to be an opportunity for an enhanced PN role in a team-based approach to care with the GP. Challenges to advancing the PN role and team-based care were identified, including the medical dominance of the health system and the significant culture change required by general practices to fully implement the model. Enablers included strong nursing leadership and improved ongoing education for PNs to unlock their capacity. The HCH model is an opportunity to strengthen primary healthcare, provided concerted action is taken regarding these challenges and enablers.

History

Journal

Australian Journal of Primary Health

Volume

24

Pagination

317-317

Location

Australia

ISSN

1448-7527

eISSN

1836-7399

Language

en

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Issue

4

Publisher

CSIRO Publishing

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