Self-help organisations: A qualitative study of successful collaboration with general practice

Thousands of self-help organisations (SHOs) exist in Australia but little is known about how they relate to the mainstream health care system. This qualitative study, based in south-east Queensland, aimed to identify examples of collaboration between general practitioners (GPs) and SHOs in order to examine the attributes of successful partnerships. Representatives of six SHOs, identified by key informants as having good collaborative links with GPs, and seven GPs with whom they collaborated, completed semi-structured interviews. The interviews focused on evidence of collaboration and perceptions of benefits and barriers experienced. Maximum variation sampling enabled a cross-section of SHOs in terms of size, funding, and health issue. Although GPs readily identified SHO benefits, they referred patients to them only rarely. SHO credibility, evidence of tangible benefits for patients, ease of contacting the SHO, and correspondence between the SHO?s focus and the GP?s personal and professional interests appear to contribute to the success of partnerships. We conclude that mutually beneficial partnerships between GPs and SHOs exist but are under-utilised. A more coordinated effort is needed to strengthen links between the two sectors.

Evidence-based practice and rehabilitation: occupational therapy in Australia and New Zealand experiences

Evidence-based practice has become the dominant paradigm in the delivery of rehabilitation programme. However, occupational therapists in Australia and New Zealand have been slow in making the transition to become evidence-based practitioners. Collaboration between the university/ tertiary institute and clinical setting is one way that clinicians can be assisted with incorporating research into their practice. Two case examples are presented outlining how collaborative practice can result in improved out.. comes for all concerned.