PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Ausra Saxvik AU - Irene Svenningsson AU - Karin Törnbom AU - Eva-Lisa Petersson AU - Cecilia Björkelund AU - Goda Gabartaite AU - Dominique Hange TI - GPs' experiences of a collaborative care model for patients with common mental disorders who need sick leave certification: a qualitative study AID - 10.3399/BJGPO.2022.0042 DP - 2022 Dec 01 TA - BJGP Open PG - BJGPO.2022.0042 VI - 6 IP - 4 4099 - http://bjgpopen.org/content/6/4/BJGPO.2022.0042.short 4100 - http://bjgpopen.org/content/6/4/BJGPO.2022.0042.full SO - BJGP Open2022 Dec 01; 6 AB - Background GPs are an important part of collaboration around patients with common mental disorders (CMD) in primary care. The Co-Work-Care model was implemented to further improve collaboration, and emphasised working more closely with patients through active dialogues among care managers, rehabilitation coordinators, and GPs. This enhanced collaborative model also included a person-centred dialogue meeting with patients’ employers.Aim The aim of this study was to explore GPs’ experiences of the Co-Work-Care model, an organisation of collaborative care at the primary care centre (PCC) that includes a person-centred dialogue meeting in the care of patients with CMD who need sick leave certification.Design & setting Qualitative individual and group interviews were conducted with Swedish GPs with experience of the Co-Work-Care trial where the PCC was an intervention PCC with the enhanced collaboration model.Method GPs were sampled purposefully from different Co-Work-Care intervention PCCs in Sweden. Focus group and individual, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. All interviews were analysed by systematic text condensation (STC), according to Malterud.Results The following three codes describing the GPs’ experiences of working in the Co-Work-Care model were identified: (1) a structured work approach; (2) competency of the care manager and the rehabilitation coordinator; and (3) gaining control through close collaboration.Conclusion Overall, GPs’ experience was that the enhanced collaboration reduced their workload and enabled them to focus on medical care. Patient care was perceived as safer and more effective. These advantages may result in higher quality in medical and rehabilitation decisions, as well as a more sustainable and less stressful work situation for GPs.