2024 Volume 44 Pages 11-21
Objective: The aim of this study is to conduct action research based on the relational coordination theory for discharge support in order to clarify the process of changes occurring in interprofessional work.
Method: The study design is Action research, which was conducted for 6 months. The study participants include sixteen professionals who are involved in discharge support, of which five people promoted the study as core members. Twelve patients and their families who required discharge support were interviewed by two or more professionals based on the RC theory (shared goals, shared knowledge, mutual respect, and communication), then the results were reflected.
Results: We analyzed 12 cases and found three phases from the perspective of changes in interprofessional work. Phase 1 was “becoming aware of discrepancies in discharge goals when conducting discharge support done by the book as well as the fact that they were not trying to understand the patients’ thoughts”. Phase 2 was “as the professionals attending the interview for discharge increase, creativity is improved by seeing and hearing the stories of the patients and their families together. Phase 3 was “having a progress in coping ability to meet the challenges patients and their families are facing by increasing interprofessional dependency”.
Conclusions: Through the action research based on the relational coordination theory the changing process of interprofessional work in discharge support was clarified.
