Interdisciplinary learning and working (M-ZIC)

Introduction
Adelante helps children and adults who are faced with the effects of an illness, disorder or accident in regaining their functionalities and social participation. In its work, Adelante adopts an all-round, patient-based approach, where diagnostics, treatment and advice - alongside the physical aspects - also concentrate on psychological and social aspects. Attention focuses on facets of everyday life, such as work, family, social contacts, hobbies and education. As part of the treatment, individuals are given the chance to regain control of their lives.
As an expert in rehabilitation, Adelante takes an active role in the education of future therapists and rehabilitation physicians. As a result, there is a structural cooperation with various educational organizations, like Zuyd University. This collaboration has resulted in this project.

Besides seminars, workshops and tutorials, Adelante offers the possibility for students of Zuyd University to do an internship, during which students work as therapists for a substantial period of time while being supervised by professionals. Until recently, the educational method used was 'classic' and 'decentralized'. 'Classic' in the sense that "pupils" learn from the "master" by imitating, watching, and copying professional treatments. 'Decentralized' because each discipline itself (f.i. psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational and speech therapist) was responsible for the organization and supervision of their own students. There was no collaboration and coherence between the disciplines.
At the same time, a lot of time and money is spent to facilitate internships (e.g. grants, administration, assets).  Furthermore, no information is available in what way Adelante profits from internships in terms of (evidence-based) knowledge, quality of care or working conditions. 

In order to change this, Adelante set up an interdisciplinary learning environment where therapists and interns work closely together when dealing with clients. In this powerful learning -, working - and care environment, where all disciplines cooperate in an interdisciplinary setting,  interns and therapists develop and share knowledge and take responsibility together for learning and working as reflective practitioners. In addition, Adelante offers an educational program on significant topics of rehabilitation, such as how can one perform a demand-oriented dialogue with patients, how do we communicate with colleagues in an interdisciplinary setting etc.

Adelante believes that - in order to create good interdisciplinary care for rehabilitation patients - it is essential to invest in a good learning, work and care environment. After all, today’s student is tomorrow’s professional!

This project will be implemented in 2017.

Goal
The aim of this project is to set up a powerful interdisciplinary learning, work and care environment at Adelante in close cooperation with Zuyd University to:
1.stimulate Evidence Based Practice training and work
2.improve the quality of care and service for patients
3.structural embedding of Zuyd University interns within Adelante
4.educate the "professional of tomorrow"  in practice
5.encourage employees to work on their career development and professional skills.
6.profiling Adelante as an attractive employer in the future
7.strengthen ambitions in connecting education (e.g. practically-oriented learning, interprofessional training), innovation (e.g. in co-creation with trainees) and research

Method
Although Adelante wants to implement this concept in the whole organization and in all disciplines, it is first introduced in the department of rehabilitation for adults, and then only for students with a higher vocational education (e.g. physiotherapists , occupational and speech therapists, nurses).
Later on  the departments of rehabilitation for children and youngsters and audiology & communication will be involved and then also for students with lower vocational education and university students like psychologists.

During 4 days a week students learn in practice. One day per
week they reflect on their internship, follow classes, consult with teachers of Zuyd University and work on interdisciplinary projects and assignments with other students.

In 2017, two groups of students will be monitored during their 20-week internship. Both periods will be evaluated. An evaluation has been set up to assess whether the implementation of the M-ZIC contributes to the objectives stated above. The evaluation focusses on the following questions:
1.How did the implementation of the M-ZIC go?
 - how many students, work supervisors and teachers have participated in M-ZIC?
 - which studies from Zuyd University have participated?
 - what went well, but also, what didn’t?
 - which factors and conditions have contributed to the success or was a barrier? (E.g., motives and interests of partners or initiators, support, decision making, resources, facilities, personal and organizational characteristics of performers)
- did the intervention lead to unwanted or unexpected processes and/or results? 

2.What were the expectations from the interns, the teachers and the professionals at the beginning of the internships?

3.Did their experiences meet their expectations?

A mix of measurements was used: questionnaires, interviews, reports of meetings and a weekly dairy.

Results
The first group of students (N=12) started their internship in February 2017. 

Adelante and Zuyd University

       1 training officer Adelante Academy