Perspectives on Team-Based Care in Family Medicine: A Mixed-Methods Study on Interprofessional Collaboration in a...

Introduction Interprofessional team-based care has been increasingly recognized as a crucial strategy for enhancing healthcare quality and efficiency. Team-based care fosters comprehensive, patient-centered care by integrating various healthcare professionals, such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and rehabilitation specialists, improving coordination and communication while reducing medical errors. Despite the benefits, challenges such as team composition, workflow integration, and professional role clarity remain, necessitating further investigation. This study examines different healthcare professionals' perspectives on introducing team-based care in family medicine within a hospital setting. Methods This mixed-method study was conducted at Unnan City Hospital, a regional hospital in Japan. A total of 220 healthcare professionals, including nurses, therapists, medical technicians, pharmacists, and social workers, participated in a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed perceptions of team-based care regarding consultation ease, coordination, understanding of physicians' perspectives, patient satisfaction, work efficiency, and stress levels. Quantitative data were analyzed using statistical tests, including chi-square and Kraskal-Wallis analyses, while qualitative responses were thematically analyzed. Results Findings indicate that healthcare professionals generally perceived team-based care positively, particularly in enhancing communication and interdisciplinary collaboration. Nurses and therapists reported improved work efficiency and stress reduction, whereas technicians and pharmacists expressed concerns about increased workload and role ambiguity. Social workers demonstrated the most favorable perception, highlighting patient-centered care and teamwork benefits. However, inconsistencies in information sharing, decision-making, and workload distribution were identified as key challenges. Conclusion While team-based care enhances collaboration and patient-centered approaches in family medicine, its effectiveness is influenced by professional role clarity and structured implementation. Addressing communication gaps, streamlining decision-making processes, and developing standardized protocols are essential for optimizing team-based care. Future research should assess long-term impacts on patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency.