Working and Learning for Innovation in Health Care: New Organizational Forms and Practices in Homeless Health

• In Event: 61.086 - Roundtable Session 21
  In Roundtable Session: 61.086-16 - Organizational Aspects of Workplace Learning

Abstract

Healthcare policy makers are responding to the increase in multiple long-term conditions, ageing populations and growing patient expectations, within finite budgets. In the UK and elsewhere, encouraging innovation is perceived to be critical to finding solutions. However, little is known about the organisational conditions that inhibit or encourage workforce innovation. This paper presents research in the UK that is exploring the relationship between work organisation, workplace learning and employee innovation in healthcare. Focusing on a case study of homeless health, it explores how a doctor and nurse led initiative is providing an innovative ‘whole person’ approach. This has involved creating new organisational forms and practices, enabling new ways of working and learning across sectors and disciplines to emerge.

Authors

• Alison Fuller, University College London - Institute of Education

• Susan Halford, University of Southampton