Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Multimorbidity challenges the health care system and requires innovative approaches, especially in Western countries where elderly population is increasing significantly. In 2015, in Québec (Canada), an interdisciplinary intervention was implemented in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region. Health care professionals were trained on patient-centered care, motivational interviewing, self-management support and interprofessional collaboration to deliver a short-term intervention of three-month for patient with multimorbidity. This study aimed to explore the experience of health care professionals about this program, with the perspective of improving patients' management, strengthening professional collaboration and ensuring sustainability. The study used a qualitative design with a purposive sample of healthcare professionals (nurses, nutritionists, kinesiologists, respiratory therapists). In-depth interviews (60-90 minutes) using a semi-structured interview guide were realised. Inductive thematic analysis to identify key themes was performed. Participants were from 7 primary health care organizations (family medicine groups). A total of 17 participants were recruited. Participants reported that being involved in the approach for the management of chronic diseases contributed to their satisfaction and professional valorization; improved their knowledge and professional practices; helped them to endorse and appreciate their professional role; and reduced their workload. The participants also highlighted some challenges in implementing the intervention: recruitment and retention of patients, turnover of professionals, difficulty in planning meetings and bringing together professionals.This intervention was useful and rewarding from health care providers' perspective. However, when designing and implementing interdisciplinary care interventions for multimorbidity, it is essential to understand and address the challenges experienced by the health care professionals.