Developing Collaborative Practices in Co-Located Health and Social Services: An Observational Study of a Multidisciplinary Development Group

Introduction: Despite ongoing efforts to integrate health and social services, achieving integration in front-line practice remains challenging. This study explored collaboration in a multidisciplinary development group aimed at improving collaboration in one co-located health and social services centre in Helsinki, Finland. Drawing on the notion of knowledge practices as means for solving complex issues, the study analysed how collaboration and co-development are enacted within the group.

Description: Observational data collected from 11 development workshops were analysed using an abductive approach. The analysis identified three modes of collaboration: 1) one-sided knowledge sharing, 2) collaborative knowledge sharing, and 3) collaborative knowledge creation.

Discussion: Shared concepts and a new multidisciplinary service process supported collaborative modes for working, while some facilitation practices seemed to hinder them. The findings revealed a gap between the ideal of bottom-up development and the organisational conditions influencing it. A clear mandate and purposeful facilitation are critical to achieving the intended goals of such development initiatives.

Conclusion: Stronger theoretical foundations and explicit theories of change could enhance development efforts. This study identified theoretical concepts that illuminate collaboration as a contextually shaped set of social practices. These insights can contribute to the design and facilitation of practice-based development efforts.