Sharing or shuffling — realities of chronic disease care in general practice

To the Editor: We conducted a qualitative study to explore the perspectives of general practitioners and allied and other health professionals on their interactions in the care of patients with chronic disease, especially where Team Care Arrangements (TCAs) are involved. We interviewed 16 clinicians from urban and rural New South Wales who were involved in the care of patients with type 2 diabetes, ischaemic heart disease and hypertension — four GPs, two practice nurses, two medical specialists and eight allied health clinicians. Interviews took place from late 2006 to early 2007.