What makes communication effective in healthcare? The impact of communication between tertiary and primary care, and opportunities for change
Mel Drinkwater1, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network Randwick 1Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, Randwick, NSW, Australia
Abstract
This presentation will outline findings from the literature and recent research into factors supporting and impairing communication between tertiary care (TC) and primary care (PC) in an Australian paediatric context. I propose that poor communication between TC and PC has a significant impact on the health of patients and wellbeing of their families, as well as negative implications for interdisciplinary clinical relationships, trust and the reputation of our health institutions. In the Australian health system, the demotion of General Practice as a speciality, the mix of public and private health, and disparate funding systems between levels of health (state versus federal) have resulted in a fractured interface between tertiary and primary care, creating unique communication challenges. Given the scale of this impact there is a duty to ameliorate such communication shortcomings and improve the communication interface. Relevant research is limited, particularly in an Australasian healthcare context, which has unique features. This makes it difficult to directly translate international research to the local context to inform and improve communication modes and structures. Our study, a qualitative study surveying Paediatricians and General Practitioners, aims to address this knowledge gap and define the factors which impair and support effective communication between tertiary and primary care physicians in an Australian Paediatric context, and to identify potential ways to improve communication. We hope our findings will identify ways to build trust across care systems and support better outcomes for patients, their families, and our health system.
Biography
Mel is the Clinical Ethics Fellow at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, and a GP based in Zetland, NSW. She has an interest in children’s health and holistic care of patients and their families, as well as the effect of communication on patient care. She has a Masters in Bioethics from the University of Sydney.