In a new evaluation from Vive, the National Research and Analysis Center for Welfare, it is revealed that the introduction of fixed, interdisciplinary teams in elderly care has led to an increased workload for certain professional groups, including nurses and physiotherapists. However, the evaluation, which includes 25 Danish municipalities, also shows a general satisfaction with the new organization among employees. Project Manager at Vive, Martin Sandberg Buch, explains that although many employees are happy with the new work structures, especially bachelor professionals, such as nurses and physiotherapists, experience an increased workload. “They are pressed for time and resources because they have to function in the interdisciplinary teams and maintain their roles in the traditional profession-specific organizations,” he says. This dual role results in these employees having to attend more meetings without a reduction in their other tasks.
Only a few municipalities have fully implemented the work model with exclusively interdisciplinary teams, partially due to limitations in the current legislation. The new elderly law, which was agreed upon in April, aims to integrate services such as rehabilitation and personal care more efficiently. Minister for the Elderly, Mette Kierkgaard (M), is optimistic and believes that the evaluation shows an increased job satisfaction with teamwork, although some professional groups are more positive than others. “This underscores the need for continued focus on the implementation of these new work methods,” she says. The reform entails that fixed teams must be implemented nationally, although there are proposals to wait until the health law can be further adjusted. However, the minister rejects this and highlights the importance of promoting holistic care. The evaluation points out that the current division under the health law is a significant cause of the challenges that have arisen with the fixed teams, especially the increased workload for nurses. Recommendations from the Health Structure Commission are expected to be received, as the commission will conclude its work in June, before further steps are taken regarding the health law.
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