Interprofessional workplace learning: a catalyst for strategic change?

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.

• Commissioner
• continuing education
• integrated care
• interprofessional education
• workplace learning

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to note the key role that Finnamore Consulting played in the development and delivery of the ICDP.

Declarations of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the writing and content of this article. The ICDP and the evaluation were funded and supported by the West Midlands Strategic Health Authority and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services West Midlands.