Inter-occupational cooperation and boundary work in the hospital setting

Area of Science:

• Organizational Studies
• Healthcare Management
• Sociology of Professions

Background:

• Inter-occupational cooperation is crucial for effective personnel health work in hospitals.
• Understanding how different professional groups collaborate and manage boundaries is essential for optimizing healthcare services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate boundary work strategies employed in an inter-occupational cooperation project focused on hospital personnel health.
• To analyze the impact of these boundary work strategies on the dynamics of cooperation within the project.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing in-depth interviews and participative observations.
• Conducted at a regional municipal organization in Sweden with hospital line managers, HR experts, and occupational health service experts.

Main Results:

• Cooperation in rehabilitation work is facilitated by closing boundary strategies that preserve professional jurisdictions.
• Illness prevention and health promotion are hindered as stronger actors employ closing strategies, marginalizing weaker actors using opening strategies.

Conclusions:

• Boundary work significantly influences the success and inclusivity of inter-occupational cooperation in hospital settings.
• The study highlights how power dynamics, enacted through boundary strategies, shape collaborative efforts in personnel health initiatives.
• A more inclusive concept of professionalism could foster better cooperation among diverse professional groups.