Interprofessional case conferences as a future model of care: Opportunities, barriers and ideas for implementation – A qualitative study with patients, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists and physicians

Interprofessional collaboration, case conferences being one form of it, can create effective and high-quality healthcare. Outside of hospitals, case conferences are less established. Our study aimed to explore how different nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, physicians and patients assess case conferences and whether case conferences could be a potential form of care in the future. A qualitative study design was chosen with interviews with patients (n = 13), nurses (n = 4), physiotherapists (n = 2), pharmacists (n = 2) , general practitioners (GPs) and other disciplines (n = 7) and focus group discussions with GPs (n = 7). For data analysis, a qualitative content analysis using a deductive-inductive approach was performed. The participants viewed case conferences as mostly positive, with GPs expressing the most critical views. Especially multimorbid, geriatric patients, as well as chronically ill patients with complex clinical needs, would particularly benefit. Lack of time, high costs, lack of remuneration and coordination were described as challenges. Most participants favoured an online format and GPs saw the best feasibility of interprofessional case conferences with patients in nursing homes. Most patients preferred to participate in the case conferences. Establishing new care models appears essential to counteract the growing imbalance between an ageing population and a lack of staff in the healthcare sector. Participants named numerous doubts and barriers, reflecting that it is currently unclear whether case conferences really save resources and how they are paid for.