The impact of recent primary care reforms in the UK on interprofessional working in primary care centres

This study comprises the perspectives of professionals in primary care regarding the impact of the changes in its organisation and interprofessional collaboration in the UK. General practitioners (GPs), nurses and practice managers were interviewed in three primary cares located within a 20-mile radius and in the same health authority. Interviews were analysed using the grounded theory approach of Glaser & Strauss (1967) as developed by Strauss & Corbin (1998). The separate ideologies and subcultures of GPs, nurses and managers influenced their perceptions of reforms in primary care. Professional identities and the traditional power structure generated some conflict between the three groups which affected collaboration in implementing the reforms. Based on the findings of the study, it seems probable that it will take a new generation of health professionals to bring about an interprofessional culture in the NHS.