Re-thinking the "what" and "how" of management education for health professionals

Interprofessional education in gross anatomy: experience with first-year medical and physical therapy students at Mayo Clinic

Interprofessional education (IPE) in clinical practice is believed to improve outcomes in health care delivery. Integrating teaching and learning objectives through cross discipline student interaction in basic sciences has the potential to initiate interprofessional collaboration at the early stages of health care education. Student attitudes and effectiveness of IPE in the context of a combined gross anatomy course for first-year students in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees curricula were evaluated. Integrated teams of MD and DPT students participated in part of the gross anatomy dissection course at Mayo Medical School. A survey was administered to 42 MD and 28 DPT students that assessed their attitudes toward IPE and cooperation among health care professionals. Pre- and post-experience surveys were evaluated. Positive comments were related to opportunities for developing a better understanding of the nature and scope of each other's programs, encouraging teamwork and communication, mutual respect, and reducing the perceptual divide between disciplines. Ninety-two percent of the students agreed that interprofessional learning would help them in becoming a more effective member of the health care team. This initial experience with IPE in gross anatomy provides a basis for continued development of interdisciplinary educational strategies.

The best of both worlds: a consideration of gender in team building

As teams continue to supplant individuals as the fundamental work unit, healthcare organizations increasingly are turning to high-performance care and service groups as keys to success. In this article, the author presents research and findings of an ethnographic case study of a mixed-gender work team of healthcare administrators. Focusing on gender issues and their impact on outcomes, the study offers insights for promoting cultural change and improving nursing practice systems that will influence health policy and support a new architecture for the healthcare industry.

From organizational to interorganizational development in nursing practice: improving the effectiveness of interdisciplinary teamwork and interagency collaboration

Organization development approaches to improving nursing practice, especially survey feedback and team development approaches, are described, and differences from organization development in industry explored. Problems encountered in developing effective interdisciplinary teams with nurse participation are examined in the context of studies of intergroup relationships, especially studies of interprofessional relationships in the health and social services fields. Reference is made to a specific intervention with a community drug team in order to highlight issues of goals, roles, procedures, skills and accountabilities in such teams. Some problems encountered in developing interagency collaboration between nursing and social work staff are illustrated with reference to a specific intervention made in a West Yorkshire maternity unit antenatal clinic, and some recommendations for increasing the success of such projects are made.