Abstract
Registered nurse (RN) and general practitioner (GP) communication in aged residential care (ARC) has not previously been researched in New Zealand and international literature indicates the potential impact this can have on patient safety and RN job satisfaction. The aim of this research was to explore RN perspectives on their communication with GPs involved in the healthcare of older people living in aged residential care in the South Island of New Zealand. A qualitative descriptive design was used to combine non-probability purposive sampling, with data collected through interviews, and thematic analysis guided by a framework provided by Braun and Clarke (2006). Four themes emerged from the data analysis which described barriers and facilitators of communication between RNs and GPs in ARC: Collaboration, RN perceptions and expectations, approaches to communication, and environment. The findings showed similarities to the international literature but also raised important issues related to the wider context of New Zealand health policy, nurse professionalisation, responsibility of health professionals and services as well as interprofessional education.