AIM: To describe variation in task shifting from GPs to practice assistants/nurses in 34 countries and to explain differences by analysing associations with characteristics of the GPs and their practices and features of the health care systems. BACKGROUND: Redistribution of tasks and responsibilities in primary care are driven by changes in demand, such as the growing number of patients with chronic conditions, and workforce developments, including staff shortage. The need to manage an expanding range of services has led to adaptations in the skill-mix of primary care teams. These developments are hampered by barriers between professional domains. METHODS: Data were collected between 2011 and 2013 through a cross-sectional survey among approximately 7,200 general practitioners (GPs) in 34 countries. Task shifting is measured through a composite score of GPs' self-reported shifting of tasks. Independent variables at GP and practice level are as follows: innovativeness; part-time working; availability of staff; location and population of the practice. Country-level independent variables are as follows: demand for and supply of care, nurse prescribing, and professionalisation of practice assistants/nurses. Multilevel analysis is used to account for clustering of GPs in countries. FINDINGS: Countries vary in the degree of task shifting. Regarding GP and practice characteristics, use of electronic health records and availability of support staff in the practice are positively associated with task shifting and GPs' working hours negatively, in line with our hypotheses. Age of the GPs is, contrary to our hypothesis, positively related to task shifting. These variables explain 11% of the variance at GP level. Two country variables are related to task shifting: a lower percentage of practices without support staff in a country and nurse prescribing rights coincide with more task shifting. The percentage of practices without support staff has the strongest relationship, explaining 73% of the country variation.

• Klíčová slova
• general practice, international comparison, practice nurse, primary care, task shifting,
• MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• poskytování zdravotní péče MeSH
• praktické lékařství * MeSH
• praktičtí lékaři * MeSH
• primární zdravotní péče MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

AIM: To describe variation in task shifting from general practitioners (GPs) to practice assistants/nurses in 34 countries, and to explain differences by analysing associations with characteristics of the GPs, their practices and features of the health care systems. BACKGROUND: Redistribution of tasks and responsibilities in primary care are driven by changes in demand for care, such as the growing number of patients with chronic conditions, and workforce developments, including staff shortage. The need to manage an expanding range of services has led to adaptations in the skill mix of primary care teams. However, these developments are hampered by barriers between professional domains, which can be rigid as a result of strict regulation, traditional attitudes and lack of trust. METHODS: Data were collected between 2011 and 2013 through a cross-sectional survey among approximately 7200 GPs in 34 countries. The dependent variable 'task shifting' is measured through a composite score of GPs' self-reported shifting of tasks. Independent variables at GP and practice level are: innovativeness; part-time working; availability of staff; location and population of the practice. Country-level independent variables are: institutional development of primary care; demand for and supply of care; nurse prescribing as an indicator for professional boundaries; professionalisation of practice assistants/nurses (indicated by professional training, professional associations and journals). Multilevel analysis is used to account for the clustering of GPs in countries. FINDINGS: Countries vary in the degree of task shifting by GPs. Regarding GP and practice characteristics, use of electronic health record applications (as an indicator for innovativeness) and age of the GPs are significantly related to task shifting. These variables explain only little variance at the level of GPs. Two country variables are positively related to task shifting: nurse prescribing and professionalisation of primary care nursing. Professionalisation has the strongest relationship, explaining 21% of the country variation.

• Klíčová slova
• general practice, international comparison, practice nurse, primary care, task shifting,
• MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• poskytování zdravotní péče MeSH
• postoj zdravotnického personálu MeSH
• praktické lékařství * MeSH
• praktičtí lékaři * MeSH
• primární zdravotní péče MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• odvolaná publikace MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

BACKGROUND: Digitalisation of health services is among the top priorities of the European Union (EU), yet take-up of eHealth tools is slower in some EU countries than others. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of information communication technology (ICT) and eHealth tools by Czech GPs, to elucidate their motivation and barriers to the adoption of eHealth technologies. DESIGN & SETTING: A cross-sectional, mixed-design survey study, administered online and conducted with GPs from seven randomly selected Czech regions. Of the invited 777 GPs, 196 participants responded (25% response rate) and 153 completed the survey. METHOD: Quantitative (measured using, for example, the eHealth readiness scale) and qualitative (thematic analysis) methods were used. RESULTS: Hierarchical multilinear regression (controling for age, sex, and city size) showed that ICT usage in general practice was predicted by eHealth readiness. Among GPs with their own practice, age and practice size also predicted ICT use. Analysis of barriers specific to mobile health tools identified obstacles on the side of GPs (such as low perceived usefulness), patients (such as lack of interest), and contextual barriers (such as lack of time). CONCLUSION: In addition to system-level change, educating Czech GPs about the benefits of eHealth tools for better patient-provider interaction and quality of care is necessary to facilitate eHealth adoption and usage in the Czech Republic.

• Klíčová slova
• ICT, clinicians, eHealth, general practice, mHealth, telemedicine,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH