How can task shifting put patient safety at risk? A qualitative study of experiences among general practitioners in Norway

Objective: To describe experiences among general practitioners (GPs) in Norway regarding horizontal task shifting experiences associated with adverse events that potentially put patient safety at risk. Design and contributors: We conducted a qualitative study with data from a retrospective convenien...

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Main Authors: Kirsti Malterud, Aase Aamland, Anette Fosse
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2020-01-01
Series:Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02813432.2020.1714143
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spelling doaj-a8e0ccba3b874a6692c93de455c63b4a2020-11-25T03:07:38ZengTaylor & Francis GroupScandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care0281-34321502-77242020-01-01381243210.1080/02813432.2020.17141431714143How can task shifting put patient safety at risk? A qualitative study of experiences among general practitioners in NorwayKirsti Malterud0Aase Aamland1Anette Fosse2NORCE Norwegian Research CentreNORCE Norwegian Research CentreNORCE Norwegian Research CentreObjective: To describe experiences among general practitioners (GPs) in Norway regarding horizontal task shifting experiences associated with adverse events that potentially put patient safety at risk. Design and contributors: We conducted a qualitative study with data from a retrospective convenience sample of consecutive, already posted comments in a restricted Facebook group for GPs in Norway. The sample consisted of 43 unique posts from 38 contributors (23 women and 15 men), presenting thick and specific accounts of potentially adverse events in the context of horizontal task shifting. Analysis was conducted with systematic text condensation, a method for thematic cross-case analysis. Results: Contributing GPs reported several types of adverse events associated with horizontal task shifting that could put patient safety at risk. They described how spill-over work dispatched to GPs may generate administrative hassle and hazardous delay of necessary examinations. Overdiagnosis, reduced access and endangered accountability occur when time-consuming procedures and pre-investigation before referral are pushed upon GPs. Resource-draining chores beyond GPs’ proficiency is also dispatched without appropriate instruction or equipment. Furthermore, potential malpractice is imposed by hospital colleagues who overrule the GPs’ medical judgement. Implications: Patient safety is endangered when horizontal task shifting is initiated and performed without a systematic process involving all stakeholders that considers available resources. A risk and vulnerability analysis, securing competent staff, resources, time and equipment before launching such reforms is necessary to protect patient safety. Infrastructure comprised of local coordination groups may facilitate dialogue between health care service levels and negotiate responsibilities and workload.Key points Task shifting between different levels of health care is a relevant and legitimate strategy for planning and policy. GPs in Norway report adverse events related to task shifting from specialist colleagues without proper resource allocation. Patient safety may be put at risk by hazardous delay, overdiagnosis, endangered accountability and potential malpractice. Planning and implementation of task shifting must involve all system levels and relevant stakeholders to ensure patient safety.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02813432.2020.1714143general practicetask shiftingpatient safetyadverse eventsqualitative method
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Kirsti Malterud
Aase Aamland
Anette Fosse
spellingShingle Kirsti Malterud
Aase Aamland
Anette Fosse
How can task shifting put patient safety at risk? A qualitative study of experiences among general practitioners in Norway
Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care
general practice
task shifting
patient safety
adverse events
qualitative method
author_facet Kirsti Malterud
Aase Aamland
Anette Fosse
author_sort Kirsti Malterud
title How can task shifting put patient safety at risk? A qualitative study of experiences among general practitioners in Norway
title_short How can task shifting put patient safety at risk? A qualitative study of experiences among general practitioners in Norway
title_full How can task shifting put patient safety at risk? A qualitative study of experiences among general practitioners in Norway
title_fullStr How can task shifting put patient safety at risk? A qualitative study of experiences among general practitioners in Norway
title_full_unstemmed How can task shifting put patient safety at risk? A qualitative study of experiences among general practitioners in Norway
title_sort how can task shifting put patient safety at risk? a qualitative study of experiences among general practitioners in norway
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
series Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care
issn 0281-3432
1502-7724
publishDate 2020-01-01
description Objective: To describe experiences among general practitioners (GPs) in Norway regarding horizontal task shifting experiences associated with adverse events that potentially put patient safety at risk. Design and contributors: We conducted a qualitative study with data from a retrospective convenience sample of consecutive, already posted comments in a restricted Facebook group for GPs in Norway. The sample consisted of 43 unique posts from 38 contributors (23 women and 15 men), presenting thick and specific accounts of potentially adverse events in the context of horizontal task shifting. Analysis was conducted with systematic text condensation, a method for thematic cross-case analysis. Results: Contributing GPs reported several types of adverse events associated with horizontal task shifting that could put patient safety at risk. They described how spill-over work dispatched to GPs may generate administrative hassle and hazardous delay of necessary examinations. Overdiagnosis, reduced access and endangered accountability occur when time-consuming procedures and pre-investigation before referral are pushed upon GPs. Resource-draining chores beyond GPs’ proficiency is also dispatched without appropriate instruction or equipment. Furthermore, potential malpractice is imposed by hospital colleagues who overrule the GPs’ medical judgement. Implications: Patient safety is endangered when horizontal task shifting is initiated and performed without a systematic process involving all stakeholders that considers available resources. A risk and vulnerability analysis, securing competent staff, resources, time and equipment before launching such reforms is necessary to protect patient safety. Infrastructure comprised of local coordination groups may facilitate dialogue between health care service levels and negotiate responsibilities and workload.Key points Task shifting between different levels of health care is a relevant and legitimate strategy for planning and policy. GPs in Norway report adverse events related to task shifting from specialist colleagues without proper resource allocation. Patient safety may be put at risk by hazardous delay, overdiagnosis, endangered accountability and potential malpractice. Planning and implementation of task shifting must involve all system levels and relevant stakeholders to ensure patient safety.
topic general practice
task shifting
patient safety
adverse events
qualitative method
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02813432.2020.1714143
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