A work-integrated educational intervention in health and social care–professionals’ experiences of joint education

Abstract

Worldwide, educational interventions (EI) are continuously carried out to support the development of individuals and organisations. Keeping pace with rapid changes in modern workplaces requires continuous learning on the part of professionals. The same requirement applies to professionals in the sector of health and social care. Although research has begun to identify the knowledge and competence requirements of professionals within the sector, we need more knowledge about the implementation of EIs as well as their impact on professionals’ learning in this context. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore professionals’ experience with a work-integrated learning–designed EI that combined web-based lectures and structured group reflections, with a focus on learning and the learning process. Qualitative content analysis of the interview data revealed that the work-integrated learning (WIL) design had a positive impact on individual, as well as intraprofessional and interprofessional, learning. This resulted in an understanding of the fundamentals of professionals’ learning and how it was supported or disrupted during the course of the intervention. Moreover, a sense of affirmation was shown to have an impact on professionals’ learning. These findings may constitute a meaningful contribution to the development of EIs for professionals both within this context and more generally.