A shared experience: An interdisciplinary professional doctorate in health and social care

Abstract

This paper describes the development of an innovative interprofessional doctorate in health and social care, within an academic framework designed explicitly to ensure that candidates must demonstrate qualities of cognitive application commensurate with doctoral study, yet must also meet the practice-focused outcomes of a professional doctorate. The degree requires students to attend highly interactive workshops in Stage 1 that encourage academic debate and 'doctoral' development, in contrast to the 'taught' modular elements of many other professional doctorates. Papers submitted during Stage 1 assume increasing levels of complex doctoral skills in developing a research proposal that undergoes the same rigorous evaluation required of PhD students in securing University Approval. The degree is awarded at the end of Stage 2 only after defence of a thesis in a viva voce examination that involves procedures and processes defined by the University for the award of PhD. © 2006 Taylor & Francis.