Co-creation and interprofessional collaborative practice for the local management of osteoporosis: a qualitative study in primary healthcare.

BACKGROUND

Interprofessional collaborative practice (ICP) benefits patients with complex conditions such as osteoporosis that require care from multiple professions. ICP is not consistently applied in osteoporosis management in primary healthcare today.

OBJECTIVES

To explore how an ICP intervention promoting co-creation of osteoporosis management was conducted and how it was experienced by nurses and physicians in primary healthcare.

METHODS

The intervention part was guided by participatory health research approach. In total, 12 nurses and physicians from five primary healthcare centres participated in three workshops aimed at supporting co-creation of local osteoporosis management. The evaluation part consisted of group and individual interviews and surveys capturing self-reported experiences. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis with inductive approach.

RESULTS

Participants reviewed local osteoporosis management and co-created work procedures tailored to their settings. The analysis generated three categories with seven subcategories. The categories were innovative learning processes, perceived effects, and factors influencing changes in work procedures. Innovative learning processes described shared learning, reflection, and adaptation in developing work procedures. Perceived effects included expected benefits for patients, changes in professional roles, and increased interprofessional collaboration. Participants described a strengthened role for nurses in osteoporosis management. Factors influencing changes in work procedures included organizational, professional, and resource-related conditions. The survey findings supported those from the interviews.

CONCLUSION

A participatory approach facilitated collaborative revision of osteoporosis management by leveraging local knowledge and promoting interprofessional learning. Participatory health research appears useful for developing ICP in managing complex conditions such as osteoporosis in primary healthcare.