Ways of interprofessional collaboration and learning in emergency work

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

• interprofessional collaboration
• workplace learning
• emergency work
• ethnography
• professional development

Acknowledgements

This paper is part of a larger research and development project funded by the Finnish Work Environment Fund (project number 109295).