What makes Care Plus effective in a provincial Primary Health Organisation? Perceptions of primary care workers

INTRODUCTION: Care Plus is a New Zealand chronic care initiative. It provides funding for extra primary care visits for patients with chronic diseases and aims to improve chronic care management, primary health care team work and reduce inequalities in health care. This mixed methodology study aimed to explore characteristics within practices that may contribute to improved clinical outcomes for Care Plus. METHODS: A focus group interview was conducted with a group of health professionals involved in Care Plus in a North Island Primary Health Organisation (PHO). Participants were selected because of their 'expert status'. Interview analysis used a general inductive approach. A questionnaire was sent to all practice nurses to determine prevalence of characteristics derived from the focus group. FINDINGS: Seven primary care workers involved in Care Plus participated in a focus group from which three major themes emerged: nursing factors, practice organisation factors and general practitioner (GP) factors. Sub-themes identified as patient-centredness, assertive follow-up, nursing knowledge, referral to other health professionals, dedicated appointment times, long consultation time, low cost, GP commitment and teamwork were all considered to be characteristics that could lead to improved clinical outcomes. Questionnaire responses from 18 practice nurses suggest that GPs are under-involved with Care Plus. DISCUSSION: Patients with chronic conditions have complex needs. Care Plus is a nationwide initiative providing funding for chronic care. Some characteristics of nurses, practice organisation and GPs may lead to improved clinical outcomes in Care Plus. A number of these characteristics are supported in the literature.