The benefits of integrated nursing teams in primary care

This article reports a study in which a literature search, questionnaire study and interviews were used to measure the costs and benefits to patients and professionals when nurses work in integrated nursing teams in primary care. Our study showed that there are significant benefits for the nurses' employers, the primary health-care team, the nurses and the patients. Compared with traditional models, delivery by integrated nursing teams can offer a much higher quality service. Patients can expect to be cared for by a team in which morale is high, communication is good and care is efficient and effective. The team can also offer many specialist services that were not previously available. Integrated nursing teams are most effective when the management savings are used by the teams to meet their professional and client needs. Financial savings, therefore, cannot be expected. The difficulties that arise when such teams are set up should be short-term and surmountable, but will be influenced by the motivation of the team members and the efficiency of the human resource management.