Monthly Archives: May 2011

Exploring power in interprofessional education

As we know, IPE is considered a key mechanism in enhancing communication and practice among health care providers, optimizing participation in clinical decision making and improving the delivery of care. An important, though under-explored, factor connected to this form of education is the unequal power relations that exist between the health and the social care… Read More »

Appreciative inquiry within interprofessional education: how it overlooks the influence of social structures

Appreciative inquiry (AI) is a relatively new approach to initiating or managing organizational change that is associated with the ‘positiveness’ movement in psychology and its offshoot positive organizational scholarship. Rather than dwelling upon problems related to change, AI encourages individuals to adopt a positive, constructive approach to managing change. In recent years, AI has been… Read More »

Interprofessional simulated learning and sociological fidelity: Part 2

As noted in the last blog entry (see May 2, 2011), the use of interprofessional simulation based on psychological conceptions of non-technical skills tends also to emphasise the individual as the site of the ‘problem’ and ‘solution’ to communication and collaboration.  As a result, there appears to be a disconnect between the theoretical and methodological approach… Read More »

Interprofessional simulated learning and sociological fidelity: Part 1

Poor interprofessional communication and teamwork are now well recognised as significant contributors to adverse events in healthcare.  These ‘non-technical skills’ are particularly pertinent in high-hazard areas such as obstetric settings, operating rooms, emergency departments and intensive care units. Recognition of the magnitude of these teamwork issues has led to calls for improved interprofessional training in many… Read More »