Interprofessional collaboration between general physicians and emergency department teams and continuity of care for patients in the French speaking regions of Belgium

The aim of this thesis is to explore interprofessional collaboration between general physicians and emergency department teams in Brussels and the French speaking regions of Belgium, and the continuity of care for patients between these two levels of care. Results shed light on “how” collaboration between providers could be associated to continuity of care as perceived by patients. They also highlighted the challenges of promoting interprofessional collaboration across care levels. Relationships between general physicians and emergency departments’ teams were tightly linked to organizational factors and the general macro-environment. This macro-environment did not create opportunities of collaboration for the involved actors. Reinforcing primary care is therefore of great relevance, especially with the current shift towards community-based care; early hospital discharge; aging populations and comorbid chronic diseases, which are expected to put further strain on primary care.