Design, implementation and evaluation of a postgraduate workshop on cross-border healthcare in Europe – Mixed methods research

Abstract

Introduction In European border regions, healthcare providers join forces to make full use of the potential of healthcare. Trainees need to be aware of the challenges and opportunities of cross-border healthcare. To increase such awareness, a workshop was designed, implemented and evaluated. The workshop was entitled ‘Creating cross-border collaborators’ and combined elements of contextual, collaborative and reflective learning. The aim of the study was to understand how this workshop enhanced trainees’ awareness of challenges and opportunities of cross-border healthcare. Methods Using a mixed-methods approach, focus-group interviews (QUAL) were held with trainees ( N = 16) and trainees ( N = 13) completed a survey (QUAN) about their workshop experiences. The workshop was held three times for three different groups of trainees. Results Quantitative analysis (of surveys) demonstrated increased self-reported awareness of cross-border healthcare. All learning principles contributed to this awareness, however reflective learning slightly less. Qualitative analysis (of focus-group interviews) unearthed the following four themes: (1) Attention to cross-border healthcare fostered awareness of its complexity; (2) real-life examples stimulated recognition of challenges and opportunities; (3) discussions in interdisciplinary and international groups helped to see different perspectives; and (4) reflection made trainees think about their own role and perspective. Quantitative and qualitative data are strongly cohered. Conclusion According to participating trainees, a workshop with elements of contextual, collaborative and reflective learning did improve trainee awareness of cross-border healthcare. This study highlights that theoretical insights into learning can and should inform the design and evaluation of workshops.

Healthy ageing and longevity

“…To make healthcare providers aware of the challenges and opportunities of cross-border healthcare they are offered a workshop. By using a mixed-methods approach, Beuken et al 4 aimed to understand how this workshop enhances trainees' awareness of the challenges and opportunities of cross-border healthcare in Europe.…”

“…Moreover, this study highlights that theoretical insights into how learning can and should inform the design and evaluation of workshops to prepare healthcare providers for crossborder service delivery. 4 Lusiana Devi et al 5 aimed to determine the factors that influence the nurse anaesthetist's perception of the role of the care manager in four provinces in Indonesia by using a cross-sectional study. It was reported that the majority of respondents have a positive perception of care managers, whereas authors conclude that socialisation to increase knowledge about care managers is needed to reduce misperceptions about their role.…”

“…To make healthcare providers aware of the challenges and opportunities of cross-border healthcare they are offered a workshop. By using a mixed-methods approach, Beuken et al 4 aimed to understand how this workshop enhances trainees’ awareness of the challenges and opportunities of cross-border healthcare in Europe. From the qualitative and quantitative data, it was found that the workshop with elements of contextual, collaborative and reflective learning did improve the awareness of cross-border healthcare among trainees.…”

“…Moreover, this study highlights that theoretical insights into how learning can and should inform the design and evaluation of workshops to prepare healthcare providers for cross-border service delivery. 4…”