Let's work together, let's learn together

Summary: This report, the second of two articles, outlines the findings of a study relating to multidisciplinary education or shared learning for health care professionals. This study was done as part fulfilment of the assessment criteria for Aston University's Business School Health Service Degree.

The present changes in the health and education sectors are important factors in considering how and where health care professional students should learn and with whom, in the future.

An overview of selected aspects of the study's methods and findings only are presented here, which it is hoped will be of most interest.

The aims and definitions of the study are described and the postal questionnaire method and rationale discussed. The attitudes of professionals towards shared learning and their experiences of this are some of the issues which the study aims to identify. The sample is described which includes nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other health professionals. The results illustrate the views of 81 health care professionals on a variety of subjects and of some agreement in principle towards multidisciplinary education but some reservations about implementing courses. Brief discussion of the study is included in the conclusion and summary.