Paired learning - improving collaboration between clinicians and managers.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Medical Education
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• Effective healthcare delivery relies on close collaboration between National Health Service (NHS) clinicians and managers.
• Poor relationships between these groups can hinder healthcare effectiveness.
• Paired learning, a peer-buddying tool, has shown potential in improving inter-group dynamics but has not been extensively studied with multi-professional clinical teams.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a paired learning programme (PLP) on the knowledge and attitudes of multi-professional NHS clinicians and managers.
• To assess the effectiveness of a PLP in fostering better collaboration and communication between clinical and managerial staff.

Main Methods:

• A four-month paired learning programme (PLP) involving clinicians and managers.
• Participants engaged in four buddy meetings and three group meetings.
• A mixed-methods approach utilizing pre- and post-course questionnaires and focus group discussions to collect quantitative and qualitative data.

Main Results:

• Participants reported enhanced understanding, improved attitudes, and better communication post-PLP.
• Self-rated knowledge increased across all domains, with statistically significant improvements in the ability to engage, establish shared goals, and understand decision-making processes.
• Qualitative data indicated a positive shift in inter-professional perceptions.

Conclusions:

• The paired learning programme (PLP) demonstrates value in promoting collaboration and improving inter-professional relationships between NHS clinicians and managers.
• The study suggests that paired learning is a viable strategy for enhancing communication and shared understanding in healthcare settings.
• Future research should consider larger sample sizes and explore interaction dynamics more deeply to further validate these findings.