Collaboration in a primary care setting: strategies for a family nurse practitioner caring for the frail older adult

Although many older adults live active and dynamic lives well into their late years, some become frail and increasingly dependent on the health care system, due to physical, cognitive, and social changes. In order to address these concerns in health care delivery, collaboration among health care providers has been a central focus for government in recent years. Collaboration among health care providers and community agencies are known to contribute to the continuation of support, by assisting the frail older adult person to achieve best health outcomes, as well as the most common goal: to remain in their homes. Nurse practitioners (NP) are one of the health care professionals, that provide quality primary health care to frail older adult patients in British Columbia (BC). The question for this project is: when a NP is providing primary care for the frail older adult in the community setting, which practice strategies promote effective collaboration between health care providers? Background knowledge about collaboration in health care, effective collaboration, the role of the NP as primary care provider, and the specific needs of the frail older adult, comprise the basis of this literature review. The 16 articles retained for analysis contained strategies themed into professional, organizational, patient and family foci. The research studies were then critiqued and themes emerged for professional, organizational, and building a therapeutic relationship with patient/family focused strategies. The results produced practice strategies for aiding in effective collaboration. The project concludes with implications for future research and education. --Leaf ii.