Implications of multiprofessional collaboration in primary care – benefits for all? A quantitative study of effects on resource utilization of a team-based primary care practice in Sweden

We investigate differences in resource utilization between a multiprofessional team-based primary care practice and standard care for elderly patients with complex needs, from the perspective of different actors involved in healthcare delivery. The study is based on a mobile care team reform in a Swedish region, that spans across both organisational boundaries and different legislation. Our findings suggest that a shift towards a more proactive approach to outpatient care initially may lead to higher resource utilization and prevent hospital care and contribute to a more effective use of resources in the long run. The pattern observed is consistent the intentions behind the implementation of interventions aimed at shifting care closer to patients. Therefore, when implementing such interventions, it is important for decision-makers to be prepared to accept increased resource use initially in order to potentially benefit in the future. Our study highlights the challenges of measuring and comparing resource utilization across different actors. When implementing healthcare reforms that span across organisational borders, it is crucial to systematically collect and compile comparable data. Reliable information on the costs and patient outcomes associated with new ways of providing care, is important from both a management and a policy perspective.