Professional-to-Professional Communication

Eight papers suggested that collaboration with colleagues reduced professional isolation and improved clinician confidence. The Gold Standards Framework for Care Homes improved trust and collaboration between nursing homes and out-of-hours clinicians. Some out-of-hours general practitioners were reluctant to seek specialist advice or did not know whom to call. Tension arose between nurses seeking prescription authorisation and clinicians who felt they lacked sufficient direct assessment information for high-stakes decisions. Many terminal care calls to out-of-hours services come from district nurses, care home staff, nursing home staff, or other healthcare professionals.