Using Shared Mental Models to Improve Collaboration in Integrated Service Delivery Settings

Growing complexity of social needs, aligned with pressures for efficient and effective public services, has been met with calls for inter-professional, integrated approaches to societal problems (Henderson et al., 2020; Careau et al., 2018). Recent evidence has confirmed a positive relationship between shared mental models, and team/organizational performance (Evans & Baker, 2012). The purpose of this research project is to explore how the shared mental model framework can be applied in an inter-professional service delivery setting to improve collaborative practices and service delivery.
Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (Luna) is a recognized centre of excellence in child abuse intervention and prevention. They have a dedicated and skilled inter-professional team that work together to focus on the most complex, severe and urgent cases of child maltreatment. Using Luna as the location of study, this explanatory sequential mixed methods research project will: identify the shared mental models that underpins their work; understand the impact shared mental models have had on collaborative practice; and, articulate lessons learned in a way that benefits Luna and other Canadian child and youth advocacy centres.

Faculty Supervisor:

Cathie Scott

Student:

Partner:

Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

Royal Roads University

Program: