Overview
The purpose of the research was to qualitatively explore peer relationships for the role and purpose these relationships fulfilled in the Australian General Practice workplace. These relationships I have called peer connection. Rogerian relationship theory was used as a framework to understand and focus the formation of an optimal therapeutic and learning alliance between GPs (General Practitioners). The research questions further focused upon the practical application of relationships between GPs and how the outcomes might fulfil the needs of work-based problems of practice.
Body
For all GPs studied, having a peer connected knowledge management system for clinical work was essential. For most but not all GPs, having a peer connected knowledge management system for affective work was also essential but required a degree of emotional literacy to describe. Peer connection is hypothesised to contribute to an informal supervision model that supports GPs in their daily work and remains highly adaptable and contextual to local and personal circumstances.
Learning Objectives
1. To explore a therapeutic alliance between General Practitioners.
2. Understand the need for supported infrastructure to enable alliance.
3. Understand the multilevel uses or not of peer to peer interactions.