Task shifting from general practitioners to nurses in out-of-hours primary care: an explorative case study of team-based practices.

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Title:	Task shifting from general practitioners to nurses in out-of-hours primary care: an explorative case study of team-based practices.
Authors:	Bomholt, Katrine Bjørnshave (AUTHOR), Mygind, Anna (AUTHOR), Nebsbjerg, Mette Amalie (AUTHOR), Christensen, Morten Bondo (AUTHOR), Huibers, Linda (AUTHOR), Burau, Viola (AUTHOR)
Source:	Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. Sep2025, Vol. 43 Issue 3, p626-638. 13p.
Subjects:	Teams in the workplace, Work, Wounds & injuries, Medical protocols, Supervision of employees, Interprofessional relations, Professional practice, Research funding, Qualitative research, Primary health care, General practitioners, Family nurses, Interviewing, Descriptive statistics, Thematic analysis, Routine diagnostic tests, Job satisfaction, Nurse-physician relationships, Research, Research methodology, Case studies, Data analysis software, Psychosocial factors, Task shifting, Experiential learning
Geographic Terms:	Denmark
Abstract:	Background: Out-of-hours primary care (OOH-PC) is essential for treating urgent health problems. However, the high demand for these services has increased the workload. Objective: To investigate the interprofessional collaboration in OOH-PC and task shifting from general practitioners (GPs) to nurses, specifically the professional practices and the perceived experiences of GPs and nurses. Methods: This explorative case study was based on observations and interviews, using normalisation process theory as the theoretical framework. Observations were conducted in two OOH-PC clinics in the Central Denmark Region, followed by individual semi-structured interviews with five GPs and six nurses working in these clinics. Data were collected from March to October 2022. Results: GPs and nurses worked together in a team-based workflow based on different roles and skills but joint tasks. The nurses handled patients with injuries and performed diagnostic tests. A team-based workflow with task shifting was supported by familiarity within the team, with nurses performing informal coordination tasks and having formal support like protocols, training, and GP supervision. GPs and nurses appreciated the team-based workflow, as it facilitated efficient resource use and high job satisfaction. However, both groups expressed concerns about the sustainability of OOH-PC clinics. Conclusion: Task shifting from GPs to nurses in OOH-PC is feasible in a team-based workflow, resulting in efficient use of available resources and high job satisfaction. However, task shifting should not aim to replace GPs with nurses. Instead, their roles and skills should be seen as complementary, which calls for task sharing. KEY POINTS: This study investigated team-based collaboration practices in out-of-hours primary care clinics, focusing on task shifting from general practitioners (GPs) to nurses. GPs and nurses worked together in a team-based workflow, where nurses independently handled most of the patients with injuries and performed diagnostic tests; this workflow resulted in efficient use of available resources and high job satisfaction. A team-based workflow with task shifting was supported by familiarity within the team, with nurses performing informal coordination tasks and receiving formal support in the shape of training, protocols, and accessible supervision from a GP. Task shifting should not aim to replace GPs with nurses. Instead, the roles of GPs and nurses should be seen as complementary, which calls for task sharing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
	Copyright of Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	Background: Out-of-hours primary care (OOH-PC) is essential for treating urgent health problems. However, the high demand for these services has increased the workload. Objective: To investigate the interprofessional collaboration in OOH-PC and task shifting from general practitioners (GPs) to nurses, specifically the professional practices and the perceived experiences of GPs and nurses. Methods: This explorative case study was based on observations and interviews, using normalisation process theory as the theoretical framework. Observations were conducted in two OOH-PC clinics in the Central Denmark Region, followed by individual semi-structured interviews with five GPs and six nurses working in these clinics. Data were collected from March to October 2022. Results: GPs and nurses worked together in a team-based workflow based on different roles and skills but joint tasks. The nurses handled patients with injuries and performed diagnostic tests. A team-based workflow with task shifting was supported by familiarity within the team, with nurses performing informal coordination tasks and having formal support like protocols, training, and GP supervision. GPs and nurses appreciated the team-based workflow, as it facilitated efficient resource use and high job satisfaction. However, both groups expressed concerns about the sustainability of OOH-PC clinics. Conclusion: Task shifting from GPs to nurses in OOH-PC is feasible in a team-based workflow, resulting in efficient use of available resources and high job satisfaction. However, task shifting should not aim to replace GPs with nurses. Instead, their roles and skills should be seen as complementary, which calls for task sharing. KEY POINTS: This study investigated team-based collaboration practices in out-of-hours primary care clinics, focusing on task shifting from general practitioners (GPs) to nurses. GPs and nurses worked together in a team-based workflow, where nurses independently handled most of the patients with injuries and performed diagnostic tests; this workflow resulted in efficient use of available resources and high job satisfaction. A team-based workflow with task shifting was supported by familiarity within the team, with nurses performing informal coordination tasks and receiving formal support in the shape of training, protocols, and accessible supervision from a GP. Task shifting should not aim to replace GPs with nurses. Instead, the roles of GPs and nurses should be seen as complementary, which calls for task sharing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	02813432
DOI:	10.1080/02813432.2025.2490911