NOVA Rapport 18/11

• Most reply that collaboration has been on the agenda for years. Those
who say they do experience a difference say it’s mainly due to the
common platform that has been established.
Obstacles to interdisciplinary collaboration can amongst other things be due
to differences in professional cultures, unrealistic expectations, lack of
knowledge about the others, complex routines, lack of skills needed for
collaboration, limited feedback, management’s insufficient prioritization etc.
To overcome such obstacles it is important to grasp the attitudes, knowledge
and various types of cooperation that exist. The following factors were
considered important in our study:
• Openness: Cooperation regarding clients and the development of good
relations are dependent upon inclusion of the involved parties and that
sufficient and meaningful feedback is given.
• Meeting places: The employees appreciate joint courses and places to
meet. Herein joint conferences and other get-togethers are also included.
• Personal relations: To make interdisciplinary cooperation work, people
need to spend time getting to know each other. There is an evident need
to get to know the people in the other fields and authorities, and do
things together.
• Formal structures: are necessary to anchor the collaborative efforts.
Formal structures such as meetings, contribute to enhance competence in
teamwork. Thereby it becomes easier to clarify roles and premises, in
addition to giving an opportunity to discuss disagreements.
• Management’s responsibility: It is very important that the attention to
cooperation and enabling of it is a management priority. Management
must lay the foundation for, motivate and follow up collaborative
possibilities.
• Collocation: Those who are located together say it contributes to
strengthening cooperation and establishing collaboration.
• Client participation: Involving parents contributes to good results. It is
especially beneficial when children, youth and parents / guardians
participate throughout the whole process.
• Tools: Manuals and guides can be very useful tools when used. A
common intranet could be used more actively for communication.
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NOVA Rapport 18/11