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Action-project method: An approach to describing and studying goal-oriented joint actions.
Sneha Shankar1, Richard A Young2, Meredith E Young1
1Institute of Health Sciences Education, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Medical Education
|September 10, 2022
Summary
The Action-Project Method (A-PM) offers a novel qualitative approach to study joint actions in health professions education (HPE). This method enhances understanding of teamwork and collaboration in complex healthcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Health Professions Education Research
- Qualitative Research Methodologies
- Sociology of Work and Organizations
Background:
- Health professions education (HPE) and practice involve frequent joint actions between professionals and educators.
- Understanding complex joint actions in HPE and patient care is challenging due to limited research methodologies.
- Existing methods often fail to capture the interdependent and goal-directed nature of collaborative work in healthcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and describe the Action-Project Method (A-PM) as a qualitative research approach for studying goal-directed joint actions.
- To provide a methodology for understanding the complexity of collaborative actions within Health Professions Education and patient care.
- To offer a framework that emphasizes participant collaboration and data equity in research.
Main Methods:
- The Action-Project Method (A-PM) is a qualitative approach grounded in contextual action theory, focusing on action as it occurs.
- A-PM utilizes three perspectives: observable behavior, internal processes (thoughts/feelings), and social meaning of goals.
- Data collection includes observations, interviews, action recordings, and a self-confrontation procedure using video-recorded action segments.
Main Results:
- A-PM generates rich data through a layered analytical approach, enabling a deeper understanding of joint actions in complex systems.
- The self-confrontation procedure allows participants to reflect on their internal processes during joint actions.
- The methodology ensures participants are treated as equal partners, promoting data equity, even in hierarchical settings.
Conclusions:
- The Action-Project Method (A-PM) is a valuable addition to the research arsenal for Health Professions Education.
- A-PM enhances the study of interdependent dyads and teams, offering deeper insights into goal-oriented collaborative actions.
- This approach aligns with the growing recognition of teamwork, interdependence, and learner/patient voices in healthcare.
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