Sharing knowledge: Final-year healthcare students working together at an interprofessional training ward

Abstract

Background

Healthcare students must learn how to collaborate with colleagues from different professional backgrounds and organisational units. Research has showed what students themselves think they gain from interprofessional education. Less is known about what knowledge students share when doing interprofessional education.

Purpose

This paper aims to study students’ knowledge sharing when working together as an interprofessional team at an interprofessional training ward.

Method

The study was conducted using a focused ethnographic approach. Field observations were carried out at two different interprofessional training wards. Fieldnotes, drawings and informal interviews constitute data. Data was analysed iteratively with ‘practice architectures’ as theoretical lens.

Discussion/conclusion

We found that students share knowledge in different ways during ward rounds, at the student team room and during the reflection session. The ward rounds are more formal and structured; at the student team room, things are buzzing; and the reflection session is weary.