Interprofessional workplace learning: a catalyst for strategic change?

J Interprof Care. 2014 May;28(3):186-93. doi: 10.3109/13561820.2013.877428. Epub 2014 Jan 15.

Abstract

The integrated care development programme (ICDP) was a continuing interprofessional educational programme for health and social care managers and commissioners. Multi-professional strategic teams from a single locality participated in university and workplace-based learning activities centred on the development of an integrated business plan to address a local priority for improvement. The evaluation used participant self-assessment, semi-structured interviews and group discussions to assess achievement of expected impacts on the participants, their organisations and partnerships, and patient/service user outcomes. The findings indicate that whilst those employed in management and commissioning roles had considerable experience of working across professional and agency boundaries they derived individual benefits from a workplace IPE programme. The principles of design and delivery developed in pre-registration and clinician/practitioner IPE courses also applied to those working at a more strategic level. Organisational impacts were reported, but 6 months post-programme evidence was not yet available of significant improvements in patient outcomes and /or financial efficiencies. Individual motivation, team dynamics and support from line managers all affected the extent to which individual and organisational impacts were achieved.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Delivery of Health Care, Integrated
  • Education, Continuing*
  • Humans
  • Inservice Training*
  • Interdisciplinary Communication*
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Learning
  • Organizational Innovation
  • Program Development
  • Qualitative Research
  • Workplace*