[Optimising skill mix in nursing homes: Enhancing team composition and interprofessional collaboration]

In Dutch nursing homes, the number of older adults with complex care needs increases, while at the same time there is a shortage of professionals. This requires changes in the organisation of care in order to provide appropriate care. The aims of this study were to generate knowledge about: 1) how team composition and interprofessional collaboration influence each other and 2) the development and implementation of optimal skill mix in nursing homes. In this participatory action research study five nursing homes organisations participated with seven teams. The focus in this study was on the nursing, psychological and medical disciplines. The teams worked on optimizing their skill mix based on general rules formulated on organisation level and a situation analysis assessed by the action researcher. Data were collected by logbooks of the action researchers and focus groups with participants. Thematic analysis revealed that teams started with creating clarity about everyone's function and qualities optimising everyone's contribution and improving interprofessional collaboration. Therefrom they gained more insight into optimal team composition in order to provide appropriate care. Preconditions for experimenting with skill mix were support, coaching, time and (financial) space.