Cooperation-oriented curricula for physicians and social workers

Abstract

Introduction: The study focuses on the possibilities for overcoming the barriers stipulated by different professional cultures through the cooperation of physicians and social workers. The object of the study is changes of aims in curricula of physicians and of social workers. Aim: The study aimed at the substantiation of the changes in the cooperation oriented curriculum. The study was organized in triangulation: a) interpretation of the results of the qualitative analysis of practical cases, revealing different knowledge about the same interventional situations, and different attitudes of the employees of healthcare and social work institutions, b) the analysis of aims of the curricula, which revealed the fragmentary character of the preconditions for intercultural communication, c) analysis of graduation works, which showed that the students’ choice to apply the multidisciplinary approach in studies of health and social issues was not limited to narrow professional viewpoints and created preconditions for cooperation in an interdisciplinary team. Method: The study was based on the capital (social, cultural) approach. Cultural capital is important when bridging social capital as it may promote partnerships, cooperation and intercultural understanding (Bourdieu, 1994, Gendron, 2004). Interpretation of the results was performed with the help of the collaboration theory (Abramson, Rosenthal, 1995). This theory emphasizes the importance of agreement on common aims between professionals of different fields in a team. Walter and Petr (2000) analytical model was used as the basic model. This model defines nine main dimensions of interdisciplinary collaboration. Results: The methods applied in the study were content analysis and interpretation. This analysis allows for stating that in the aims of the curricula of physicians and of social workers, there emerged changes that allow for a discussion on [...].