[Development and piloting of a digital interprofessional round in home care: a participatory Case Study]

Development and piloting of a digital interprofessional round in home care: a participatory Case Study Abstract: Background: In Germany, structures and incentives for interprofessional collaboration (IPC) between home nursing services (HNS) and general practitioners (GPs) are largely lacking; patients have so far been only marginally involved in these processes. Digital technologies may support IPC. Within the TeleCare project, a digital interprofessional round (DIR) was developed to facilitate interprofessional coordination in home care. Aim: What conditions are necessary to implement digital interprofessional rounds between a GP practice and HNS under routine care conditions? What challenges arise during their implementation in everyday practice? Methods: DIR were co-developed in a participatory process with teams of HNS and GP practices. Conditions, opportunities, and challenges of implementation were examined using an exploratory case study approach. Qualitative data were collected through nine individual interviews, six group discussions, one focus group, and eight participant observations with HNS and practice teams, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Four tandems from HNS and GP practices participated. Structures to enable and test DIR were established. Supporting factors included established cooperation, patient involvement, and perceived time savings. Challenges included the coordination effort, lack of suitable occasions, and heterogeneous communication structures. Conclusions: Sustainable implementation of DIR requires technical and organizational adjustments, a strong willingness to cooperate and supportive political frameworks.