Learning in the ED: chaos, partners and paradoxes
ISSN: 1366-5626
Article publication date: 16 September 2019
Issue publication date: 16 September 2019
Abstract
Purpose
Most contemporary research in medical education focuses on the undergraduate component conducted within medical schools. The purpose of this paper, however, is to better understand how medical residents and practicing attending physicians learned to practice within the context of the emergency medicine department (ED) workplace.
Design/methodology/approach
In all, 18 residents and 15 attending physicians were interviewed about their learning in the ED. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim then analysed using an iterative approach. Emergent themes were shared with the participants to ensure they were an accurate representation of their lived experiences.
Findings
The first of the three main findings was that the ED learning environment was characterised as “messy” because of the inherently chaotic nature of the workplace. The second finding was that patients and nurses were informal partners in learning. The third main finding was that learning and working in the ED can be difficult, isolating and often lacks continuity.
Research limitations/implications
The main limitation associated with this research relates to the highly situated and contextually bound nature of this study. Nevertheless, the findings should be generative for others interested in supporting the work and learning of health professionals.
Originality/value
This study shifts the focus in medical education research from formal undergraduate education to learning in high stress and chaotic workplaces. Accordingly, this work provides valuable insights for others interested in the messy realities of learning in professional practice.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Ethical approval: Ethical approval was received from The University of Queensland (HMS13/0411), University of Winnipeg (HE846) and the Health Sciences Centre (R12013:039).
Citation
Hussain, A., Rossi, T. and Rynne, S. (2019), "Learning in the ED: chaos, partners and paradoxes", Journal of Workplace Learning, Vol. 31 No. 6, pp. 361-376. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL-11-2018-0135
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited