What is it about?
Power dynamics based on traditional medical hierarchies are inherently present in healthcare. Power dynamics have an impact on intraprofessional collaboration and learning among residents in hospitals. Although considerable efforts are being made to design intraprofessional education between physicians, little attention is paid to factors that impact hierarchy and power dynamics. To improve the learning climate for intraprofessional learning, residents and their supervisors need to have a better understanding of the impact of power dynamics and how they can manage these.
Featured Image
Photo by Kamran Chaudhry on Unsplash
Why is it important?
We can steer the power dynamics at play into constructive power dynamics. Constructive power dynamics occur when power distribution is based on equity, combined with sincere open interactions, actively inviting each other into discussions and enlisting the support of MS supervisors to foster fearless learning. This can be achieved by creating awareness of implicit beliefs and making them explicit, recognising interaction that encourages intraPC learning and creating policies that support fearless intraPC learning.
Perspectives
I hope this article helps professionals to openly discuss cultural differences and power dynamics between medical professions and to manage them in a positive way.
Dr. Natasja Looman
Radboud Universiteit
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Exploring power dynamics and their impact on intraprofessional learning, Medical Education, December 2021, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/medu.14706.
You can read the full text:
Resources
Power Dynamics movie Part 1: ‘What are Power Dynamics’?
Power and Power dynamics are omnipresent in workplaces and learning settings. For example, in hospitals and medical education. These dynamics are mostly implicit, and not openly discussed. In this movie, we explain what power dynamics exactly are. And we explain the 5 main types of power dynamics found in our research into the impact of power dynamics on intraprofessional learning. In Parts 2 through 6, each type of power dynamic will be further explainen, including tips & interventions that are easy to implement. Learn how negative power dynamics can be overcome, even in contexts with strong hierarchies.
Power Dynamics movie Part 2: ‘Beliefs impact Power Distribution’
We all have our beliefs and attitudes about other professions/persons or about professional norms/standards. In this movie, we explain how these underlying beliefs highly influence de distribution of power among professionals. This movie (3 min.) is based on research into the impact of power dynamics on intraprofessional learning The animations come literally from the observations & interviews from our research. Tips & interventions are included: they are easy to implement and will impact your daily practice and how you deal with power dynamics.
Power Dynamics movie Part 3: ‘Beliefs impact Interaction Style’
In this movie, we explain how our beliefs highly influence the way we talk about and with each other. And how our interaction styles can shape or maintain (new) beliefs and power dynamics. This movie (3 min.) is based on research into the impact of power dynamics on intraprofessional learning. The animations come literally from the observations & interviews from this research. Tips & interventions are included: they are easy to implement and will impact your daily practice and how you deal with power dynamics.
Power Dynamics movie Part 4: ‘Power distribution based on Inequity impact Silencing/ Subjection’
Higher-status persons may experience power dynamics differently than lower-status persons. And as a result, the higher-status person can (unintentionally) overpower the lower-status person. In this movie, we explain how this works and how positive power dynamics can be achieved in this type of hierarchy. This movie (3 min.) is based on research into the impact of power dynamics on intraprofessional learning. The animations come literally from the observations & interviews from this research. Tips & interventions are included: they are easy to implement and will impact your daily practice and how you deal with power dynamics.
Power Dynamics movie Part 5: ‘Power distribution based on Equity impact Fearless learning’
Hierarchy can be fruitful in creating positive power dynamics. In this movie, we explain how a culture of equity can be promoted and how hierarchy can be used to provide a foundation for fearless learning and working. This movie (3 min.) is based on research into the impact of power dynamics on intraprofessional learning. The animations come literally from the observations & interviews from this research. Tips & interventions are included: they are easy to implement and will impact your daily practice and how you deal with power dynamics.
Power Dynamics movie Part 6: Interaction style impact Fearless Learning & Working’
Power Dynamics Part 6: ‘Interaction style impact fearless learning (and working)’. Interaction styles can make or break fearless learning/ working. In movie Part 6, we explain how everyone can play an important role in steering power dynamics, not just higher-status persons, but anyone. This movie (3 min.) is based on research into the impact of power dynamics on intraprofessional learning. The animations come literally from the observations & interviews from this research. Tips & interventions are included: they are easy to implement and will impact your daily practice and how you deal with power dynamics.
Exploring power dynamics and their impact on intraprofessional learning - Interview with Natasja Looman
This article demonstrates how residents' beliefs/attitudes affect their interactions with each other. The results suggest effective change can be achieved by small interventions that are easy to implement.
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