Collaboration between GPs and specialists does not happen automatically: it requires certain conditions that are partly realized through learning. To ensure that the interpersonal part of those conditions are realized, informal and joint learning processes between professionals are essential.

For this purpose, brokers are important. Brokers can have a formal role or an informal role. Brokers support the learning processes that can lead to better cooperation and ensure that the organizational side is taken care of. The instruments used for this purpose are boundary objects (for example, a Regional Transmural Agreement).

As part of this research, together with researchers from Ghent, we are working on a realist review entitled:

Health care professionals' learning through collaboration in primary health care: a realist review of what works, for whom and in what circumstances