Debating the use of work-based learning and interprofessional education in promoting collaborative practice in primary care: a discussion paper.

Background: The context of primary care in the UK is changing rapidly, underpinned by continuing policy drivers to ensure person-centred safe and effective practice. Undergraduate and postgraduate programmes for healthcare practitioners are increasingly using interprofessional education (IPE) as one route to engender greater understanding of others' roles and contributions to health care, with the suggestion that IPE leads to better integration and teamwork, and thus stronger collaborative practice. Access to education and professional development for those working in primary care is difficult, and individuals need the focus of learning to be clearly relevant to their practice.

Establishing the contribution of nursing in the community to the health of the people of Scotland: integrative literature review.

Aim: This paper is a report of an integrative literature review to explore the evidence base for nursing in the community.

Background: The Scottish Executive (2005) in Scotland (UK), announced that a review of nursing in the community should be undertaken to inform implementation of the policy Delivering for Health. This policy called for a fundamental shift in the focus of care away from acute hospitals into the community where health care in the future will be concentrated.