Open Dialogues in social networks: professional identity and transdisciplinary collaboration

Abstract

AimThe aim of this article is to explore the challenges connected to the transformation and emergence of professional identity in transdisciplinary multi-agency network meetings and the use of Open Dialogue.IntroductionThe empirical findings have been taken from a clinical project in southern Norway concerning multi-agency network meetings with persons between 14 and 25 years of age. The project explores how these meetings are perceived by professionals working in various sectors.MethodologyData was collected through three interviews conducted with two focus groups, the first comprising health care professionals and the second professionals from the social and educational sectors. Content analysis was used to create categories through condensation and interpretation. The two main categories that emerged were ‘professional role’ and ‘teamwork’. These were analysed and compared according to the two first meeting in the two focus groups.Results and discussionThe results indicate different levels of motivation and understanding regarding role transformation processes. The realization of transdisciplinary collaboration is dependent upon the professionals' mutual reliance. The professionals' participation is affected by stereotypes and differences in their sense of belonging to a certain network, and thus their identity transformation seems to be strongly affected. To encourage the use of integrated solutions in mental health care, the professionals' preference for teamwork, the importance of familiarity with each other and knowledge of cultural barriers should be addressed.

Implementing Care Aims in an integrated team

“…In this case study the majority of members of the team have been part of this team for more than 2 years, some for up to 10 years approximately and articulated different views of team type and role. As the numbers are small in this pilot study, the results may be due to the characteristics of individuals rather than professional identity although Holmesland et al (2010) comment that professional identity is always dependent on personal identity. However Scott et al (2003) Page 17 of 23 note that one characteristic of the NHS is the "robustness of each occupational culture" and that the orientation of staff is professional more than corporate.…”

Directions for Future Patient-Centered and Comparative Effectiveness Research for People With Serious Mental Illness

“…The model's origins evolved from the Need-Adapted approach promoted by Alanen. 533 OD 454,455,534 is based on seven core principles: immediate intervention within 24 hours of first contact; a social network perspective that includes the individual, family, neighbors, friends, and, to the extent possible, employers, social service, and vocational agents; flexibility to adapt to the individual's changing needs; staff responsibility for the treatment process; continuity of care; tolerance of uncertainty; and facilitation of communication and promotion of dialogue as a means of understanding the situation.…”

Generating Dialogical Practices in Mental Health: Experiences from Southern Norway, 1998–2008

“…Joint Development aimed to help young people, age 14-25 years, with early-stage mental illness, and offered youths with more severe problems an opportunity to take an active role in their own treatment (Holmesland et al 2010). The idea was that increased competence in network dialogues among professionals would improve the mental health of young people.…”

“…Moreover, the focus on person centredness followed by a change in the helper 0 s position may in turn affect the stereotypes associated with professionals. Bearing this in mind, the increased familiarity between the professionals developed in transdisciplinary multi-agency teamwork may improve the health care system in general (Holmesland et al 2010).…”