Exploring the effect of an educational intervention on the attitudes of health care professionals towards working in teams

Abstract

This thesis represents one component of a larger study, the ‘Collaborations in Asthma Management in the Community’ (CAMCOM) Study, and focuses on the development and implementation of an interprofessional learning (IPL) workshop for pharmacists and general practitioners (GPs) in the primary care setting. The Collaborative Working Relationships Model (CWRM) and Sociocultural Theory were used in the analysis of individual participant transformation towards a more interdisciplinary approach to solving a clinical patient case scenario. Specifically, a new model of IPL was explored in terms of its impact on the attitudes and behaviours of primary health care professionals towards teamwork and collaboration. Four GP-pharmacist pairs (3 GPs and 4 pharmacists) were randomly selected for further exploration (using video and audio capture) from a sample of 33 health care professionals. Participants were able to transform and undergo a reconceptualisation of the other profession as evidenced through collaborative behaviours consistent with the CWRM. The workshop was effective in overcoming professional stigmas, increasing mutual awareness and fostering understanding around complementary and differing roles for GPs and pharmacists in the community setting. This workshop provides the stepping-stone towards developing further collaborative interactions. Future work should explore the sustainability of professional collaborative relationships in practice.