Mental Health Collaborative Learning Initiative A Blended Learning Design

Description

This short A4 guide illustrates an enquiry-based blended learning design used to encourage learning and teaching between students from related social care and health disciplines. Its aim is to describe the learning design and encourage discussion about this type of learning and teaching approach. It is recognised that the delivery of interdisciplinary services provide the most effective outcomes for mental health service users and carers (MHSUC). However, a lack of teaching space, timetabling difficulties, differing curriculum requirements etc can prevent qualifying social and health care students from learning together with MHSUC to develop the skills and knowledge required for effective interdisciplinary post-qualification practice. The aim of this design was to creatively overcome issues of time and space and to embed active MHSUC engagement with students. The objective of the initiative was to promote effective interdisciplinary learning. Initially the Learning Initiative was with Nursing and Social Work students, however it is planned to incorporate Clinical Psychology students and Senior House Officer Medics in the near future.