Faculty of Health Science collaborative teaching and learning project

Faculty of Health Science collaborative teaching and learning project Jo Osborne, Glenyse Frost Faculty of Health Science, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS Introduction/background: Teaching and learning development funds were awarded to the Faculty of Health Science to support a project exploring possibilities for collaborative curriculum approaches across the Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Midwifery, Human Life Science, Pharmacy, and the Department of Rural Health. The project process employed literature survey, staff interviews and surveys, multidisciplinary focus groups, student feedback and curriculum analysis. Four distinctive collaborative approaches to teaching and learning were identified and have lead to the establishment of cross-disciplinary pilot teaching developments in 2009. Purpose/objectives: The project aim was to improve undergraduate teaching and learning by enhancing collaboration between Schools in the Faculty of Health Science. Issues for exploration/ideas for discussion: Project outcomes include: • Pilot collaborative teaching developments for 2009 (under the themes of Quality & Safety; Law & Ethics; and Management of Chronic Illness). • Proposed governance structure within the Faculty of Health Science to manage risk and support sustained development of collaborative teaching and learning initiatives. • Lessons for change management, where the consultative project process itself has been significant for the development of a culture of collaboration.