Background From 2010 to 2012, in two regions in the Netherlands rheumatology networks are developed. The purpose of both networks was to improve the care for patients with rheumatic diseases.

The design of the networks was similar and the working teams were comparable They consisted both of a collaboration between the health professionals of rheumatology in two local hospitals, physiotherapists in primary care and the local patient associations of rheumatology. After two years one network (A) was successfully implemented and one network (B) was not.

Objectives The purpose of the current project is to determine which factors affected the implementation processes.

Methods In the Pubmed database articles were searched which described succes- and fail factors affecting the implementation of a professional network in health care. The results of this search in literature were compared with factors, that influenced the development process in the two networks. These factors were investigated by questionnaires, filled in by the people of the working teams. Both working teams consisted of one rheumatology nurse, one physiotherapist from the hospital, three physiotherapists in primary care and one or two people from the local rheumatology association.

Results There is poor evidence about success- and fail factors (table 1). The succes factors of network A were “good confidence”, “good collaboration”, and “thinking in patient view point”. The fail factors of network B consisted of “lack of communication”, “bad collaboration” and “competitive feelings”.

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Conclusions It is necessary to have a good preparation during the development of a rheumatology network. It is also important to keep the success- and fail factors in mind during the process. Thinking from the patient's point of view is recommended in the decision making process. Thereby bridges can be built between several partners!

References

1. Manasse HR Jr. 2009 Rho Chi Lecture: interdisciplinary health professions education: a systems approach to bridging the gaps Am J Pharm Educ. 2009 Aug 28;73(5):90.

2. Daly G. Understanding the barriers to multiprofessional collaboration. Nurs Times. 2004 Mar 2-8;100(9):78-9.

3. Minkman M, et al., 2005, De beste zorg bij CVA, Handreiking voor het verbeteren van de CVA-zorgketen, Van Zuiden Communications B.V., ISBN 90-8523-08307.

4. Grol R, Wensing M. Implementatie, effectieve verbetering van de patiëntenzorg. 3^e druk, Elsevier Gezondheidszorg, Amsterdam, 2010.

5. Calsbeek H, Rosendal H. Waarom ketenzorg zo moeizaam van de grond komt: de slaag- en faalfactoren. Nederlands Tijdschrift voor EBP 2007; 5: 4-7.

Acknowledgements Author: Hanneke Muijen-Drop, MPT Master fysiotherapie bij mensen met chronische ziekten

Projectmanager: Hanneke Muijen-Drop

Disclosure of Interest None declared