Developing interprofessional education in social and health care – interprofessional identity formation in an interdisciplinary group

Authors

• Anna Miettinen Itä-Suomen yliopisto https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8183-1735
• Kaarina Mönkkönen Itä-Suomen yliopisto https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2822-7018
• Taru Kekoni Itä-Suomen yliopisto https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3167-0758

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23990/sa.152066

Keywords:

Interprofessional collaboration, Identity, Interprofessional education, Focus group

Abstract

The research investigated the experiences of social and health care professionals who developed interprofessional education together. The aim was to determine factors that contributed to the development of an interprofessional identity in the context of development work in higher education. The group worked together for three years. After that, a focus group interview was implemented, and qualitative text data was analyzed using data driven content analysis. The results indicated two main perspectives that determine the development of an interprofessional identity: internalized interprofessionality and interprofessionality as a resource that guides action. Interprofessionality as a part of professional self includes understanding the meaning of collaboration, forming a more complex perception of professionalism and motivation for collaboration. It can guide actions which appear as reciprocal interaction, respecting other disciplines and aspiration to lower barriers to collaboration. According to the research, interdisciplinary group work supported interprofessional identity development. Interprofessional work is recommended for people who can influence learning and collaboration opportunities in social and health care environments.