Digital storytelling for interprofessional collaborative practice to develop quality and service improvements

‘Service Development and Quality Improvement’ is a professional development module within an interprofessional leadership program accessed by health and social care professionals. It focuses on acquiring skills and knowledge in quality enhancement, quality improvement and service user and patient involvement essential to transforming services. Emphasis is on the co-production of service improvement and enhancing skills in using information technology and different media supported by a virtual and blended learning environment. This Ideas in Action digital storytelling case study useda virtual learning activity supported by a combination of multimedia, discussion boards, group work and structured activities to engage students in peer support. Aspects of the digital storytelling process provide a useful distance learning tool for engaging different professionals in identifying common issues in improving services. Our reflective account of the process by drawing on both tutor and students own commentary on the potential of digital storytelling. Learning digital storytelling within a collaborative virtual learning environment gave rise to three key observable outcomes: a leveling effect in interprofessional collaboration; enhancing curiosity as a vehicle for enriching interprofessional exchange; and emphasizing service users and patient perspective in service improvements.