Illuminating the relationship between shared learning and the workplace

This investigation represents an attempt to illuminate issues in the relationship between shared learning, aspects of organizational climate, teamwork practices and inter-personal contact between health professionals. The study, completed in 1998 and conducted over the previous 3 years, involved 57 post-qualified health professionals undertaking a part-time 'top-up' degree in health studies. The extent to which climate promoted, maintained or inhibited collaborative practices was considered by examining the views and experiences of course participants over three successive years. Most interest in collaborative practice came from individuals already actively engaged in multidisciplinary work and with a clear sense of role within that context. No evidence was found to associate this form of shared learning with new or enhanced collaborative activity, but nearly all the professions involved accepted the principle of more flexible forms of working. Poor perceptions between disciplines were associated with low levels of contact in the workplace. Students who undertook a module focusing on collaborative practice had more positive perceptions about their work and were less likely to emphasize work demands in terms of shift-patterns, fatigue and/or stress.