Journal Article

General practitioners’ perceptions of interprofessional collaboration in Belgium: a qualitative study

Tans, Anouk, Belche, Jean-Luc, Kringos, Dionne, Van den Bruel, Ann, Tare, Dajana, Jamart, Hubert, Chokshi, Aishwarya, Heymans, Isabelle

2025

Overview

Background Belgian primary care is facing significant challenges due to increasing healthcare demands and an overall decline in the workforce. Most general practitioners (GPs) work solo or in mono-disciplinary practices, leading to suboptimal outcomes in areas such as preventive care and health promotion. In response, the Ministry of Health introduced a “New-Deal” for GPs, which includes additional funding to support innovative practice organisation models. A think tank of GP representatives was established to guide the initiative, with input from practising GPs gathered for further insight. This study aims to identify the professionals needed to support GPs in daily practice, define their roles, and explore the conditions necessary for integrating them into the GP-centred model of care. Methods Eleven focus groups were conducted with 122 GPs, ensuring geographical and linguistic diversity across Belgium. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure a diverse range of organisational models across the country. A structured focus group guide was designed, incorporating three scenarios to examine tasks commonly encountered in GP practices. Data analysis was conducted using a codebook developed through an inductive approach. Results GPs expressed a preference for relatively small-scale teams, generally consisting of nurses and receptionists. The role of a practice assistant was more ambiguously defined, positioned between clinical and administrative responsibilities. Key tools for effective team integration included co-location, well-defined protocols, a shared electronic health record, care coordination, and unified logistical management, all of which are critical to fostering multidisciplinary collaboration. Conclusions This study explores Belgian GPs' preferences for integrating healthcare professionals into their practices, with team composition adjusted to workload and patient needs. However, the traditional autonomy of practice design may hinder change. Future research is needed to refine financial models and integration tools for collaborative care.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,Springer Science and Business Media LLC,BMC
• Subject: Adult / Attitude of Health Personnel / Belgium / Beliefs, opinions and attitudes / Business metrics / Capitation / Case studies / Chronic illnesses / Collaboration / Comorbidity / Cooperative Behavior / Family Medicine / Female / Focus Groups / General & internal medicine / General Practice / General practitioners / General Practitioners - psychology / General practitioners, Practice organisation models, Team integration, Interprofessional collaboration, Nurses, Receptionists, Practice assistants / Health care policy / Human health sciences / Humans / Interprofessional collaboration / Interprofessional cooperation / Interprofessional Relations / Male / Medical cooperation / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Methods / Middle Aged / Médecine générale & interne / Nurses / Pandemics / Patient Care Team - organization & administration / Perceptions / Physicians (General practice) / Practice / Practice organisation models / Preventive medicine / Primary care / Primary Care Medicine / Primary Health Care - organization & administration / Professional ethics / Psychological aspects / Qualitative Research / Receptionists / Sciences de la santé humaine / Social aspects / Team integration / Teams / Workforce / Working groups