Ways of interprofessional collaboration and learning in emergency work

• Published in: Studies in continuing education Vol. 34; no. 3; pp. 281 - 300
• Main Authors: Collin, Kaija Marjukka, Valleala, Ulla Maija, Herranen, Sanna, Paloniemi, Susanna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sydney Taylor & Francis Group 01-11-2012; Routledge; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Collegiality; Cooperation; Emergency medical care; Emergency medicine; emergency work; Ethnography; Finland; Focus Groups; Foreign Countries; Health Occupations; Health personnel; Health Services; Hospitals; interprofessional collaboration; Interprofessional cooperation; Interprofessional Relationship; Interviews; Learning; Patients; Professional development; Social research; Teamwork; Workplace Learning; Finland
• ISSN: 0158-037X; 1470-126X
• DOI: 10.1080/0158037X.2011.617364

In the paper we aim to identify various ways of interprofessional collaboration and learning in an emergency unit at a hospital in Finland. According to previous studies, health care work faces various constraints which also challenge interprofessional interaction and learning. We ask what kinds of learning situations and challenges are manifested in moments of interprofessional practice. Ethnography was applied as a methodological approach. Empirical data were collected with the help of observations, audio taping, individual and focus group interviews, and suitable qualitative methods were utilised in the analysis. It was found that multi- and interprofessional collaboration and learning was present in many ways in emergency practice, for instance, in mutual planning of patient care and in situations where specific patient groups were treated. However, collaboration and learning were also challenged in these situations. Although collaborative practice was mostly fluent, coordination between professions need to be developed more collaboratively to promote learning and shared understanding among all employees.