A team education project: an evaluation of a collaborative education and practice development in a continuing care unit for older people.
The aim of this team education project was 'to provide multidisciplinary education in the clinical environment and to directly influence practice'. The education programme was carried out in a continuing care unit for older people situated in inner London. The education programme consisted of twice-weekly, ward-based reflective groups held over seven weeks. The theme chosen for exploration in the group was that of bereavement. Although the intention had been to include participants from a wide range of backgrounds, there proved to be little involvement from non-nursing staff. The evaluation interviews conducted with group members were generally positive, but all the interviewees said that the programme had not changed the way they worked with residents. The authors argue that a psychoanalytic approach is useful when studying organisational behaviour in a stressful environment. 26 references.