From silos to inter-professional collaboration: A mixed methods case study utilising participating action research to foster multidisciplinary teams in a day care surgery department

Citation

Bjaalid G, By RT, Burnes B, Mikkelsen A & Øygaarden O (2019) From silos to inter-professional collaboration: A mixed methods case study utilising participating action research to foster multidisciplinary teams in a day care surgery department [De los silos a la colaboración interprofesional: un estudio de caso de métodos mixtos que utiliza investigación-acción participativa para fomentar equipos multidisciplinarios en un departamento de cirugía de un centro de día]. International Journal of Action Research, 15 (3), pp. 217-236. https://doi.org/10.3224/ijar.v15i3.04

Abstract
This single case study reports on the establishment of a multidisciplinary day care surgery at a Norwegian University Hospital utilising participating action research design principles drawn from sociotechnical theory. Data was collected through mixed methods including stakeholder analysis, document studies, observations of meetings, semi-structured interviews and participating group methods. The senior management at the hospital had decided to implement a department that diverged from organising around professional disciplines, and this decision evoked strong resistance among several professional groups in the first phases of this project. This case follows the implications of the decision to establish a multidisciplinary day care surgery through re-organising location, staff and management structures. The findings suggest that the hospital achieved the vision of creating an efficient multidisciplinary work environment, reducing the culture of tribalism between professions, and creating a work environment with a high degree of knowledge transfer. This case describes how action research can be used to reduce organisational silos and to improve multidisciplinary co-operation.

Keywords
Action research; Day care surgery; Hospital organisation; Organisational change; Sociotechnical design; Inter-professional teams; Patient-based organisation

Journal
International Journal of Action Research: Volume 15, Issue 3