Abstract
Background: Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) in primary care is crucial for improving patient outcomes, as it ensures that patients with complex healthcare and social needs receive comprehensive and personalized care from a team of diverse professionals. As in the rest of the world, primary care professionals in Belgium face a wide range of complex and interconnected issues among their patients. These challenges necessitate a coordinated and interprofessional approach to find effective solutions. By bringing together professionals from various fields, service delivery can be enhanced. IPC can lead to more efficient processes, better access to services, and more personalized support. Additionally, collaboration at the neighborhood level enables local stakeholders to participate in decision-making processes, strengthening local democracy and promoting civic engagement. This participation is currently lacking.
Approach: This research is conducted using a participatory action research approach, with a strong emphasis on co-creation with key stakeholders, including professionals from diverse disciplines and local community organizations in 4 primary care zones in Antwerp, Belgium. In 2024, an online survey and focus groups were conducted and analyzed. In 2025, co-creation sessions, following methodologies of Design Thinking and Innovation Labs, will be organized to jointly develop strategies to improve IPC on the neighborhood level. Both the process and the product will be evaluated.
Results: A total of 467 participants from 4 primary care zones in Antwerp (Belgium) completed the survey. When asked to rate their current level of IPC on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest), the mean score was 6.85 (SD=2.07). When asked to rate the importance of IPC the mean score increased to 8.57 (SD=1.73), what highlights the necessity and willingness of the participants to conduct further steps in enhancing IPC in primary care. Barriers and facilitators to IPC were identified and analyzed thematically. The survey also assessed team skills, social cohesion, community orientation, and prejudices using Likert scales. The results were comparable in the 4 primary care zones.
In November 2024, 4 focus group discussions involving a range of primary care professionals are conducted in four primary care zones in Antwerp, Belgium. The main focus will be on further exploring the barriers and facilitators for IPC.
Implications: The research will generate both theoretical knowledge and practical tools that are directly applicable in the field and can contribute to more interprofessional collaboration and connection with all relevant actors in a neighborhood. The co-creation process will directly lead to action plans that the neighborhoods involved can implement. Additionally, an inspiration guide for professionals in other neighborhoods/primary care zones will be developed, featuring best practices and lessons learned based on the research results.