1st Edition

Action Learning in Healthcare A Practical Handbook

By John Edmonstone Copyright 2011

    Action learning was developed in the UK in the 1960s and is now one of the most widely used development methods in healthcare. This practical manual embodies the dual focus of action learning as both philosophy and technique - exploring the underlying concepts derived from adult education and organisation development, addressing challenges and providing invaluable support material. Specifically targeting the healthcare sector, this book is divided into three parts: an exploration of core ideas and underlying assumptions including techniques and methods; practice-preparation, projects, sets, facilitation and evaluation; and a compendium of resources. Action Learning in Healthcare is vital reading for senior managers and professionals considering using action learning for leadership, management and organisation development purposes. It is also highly recommended for organisation development practitioners (with responsibility for project managing the use of action learning in local and national programmes). Action learning facilitators, too, will find much to absorb, modify and use in their own practice, as will action learning set members wishing to enhance their knowledge.

    Foreword. Who should read this book? About the author. Acknowledgements. Introduction. Part 1: Principles. What is action learning and what is it for? Action learning and traditional learning. Action learning: the core ideas. Part 2: Practice. Preparing for action learning. Problems, projects, topics and issues. Action learning sets. Listening and questioning: the key skills. And the other skills. Supporting, recording, ending. Dealing with anxiety in action learning. Facilitating action learning sets. Variations on the action learning theme. Evaluating action learning. How action learning has evolved. Part 3: Resources. Slow motion questioning exercise. Break-space exercise. Listening in the corner exercise. Making the best use of airtime. Action learning constellations. Support/challenge map. Thinking, feeling and willing exercise. Accessing the learning styles questionnaire. Life goals exercise. Core process exercise. Set meeting review worksheet. International Foundation for Action Learning (IFAL). Action learning: research and practice. Useful websites. Bibliography and further reading. Index.

    Biography

    John Edmonstone