Interprofessional work in the network for social intervention. Possibilities and limitations ( El trabajo interprofesional en red para la intervención social. Posibilidades y limitaciones )

Abstract

Coordinated work among the professionals involved is increasingly necessary in response to the social-educational needs of a region. This contribution analyses the case of an interprofessional network (XAFIR) of more than 130 professionals in the city of Barcelona, working to improve social and educational assistance to children and their families. A simple instrumental-type case study is used to identify the determining factors for the proper working order of a network of this type. The analysis covers 52 questionnaires, 16 interviews and two focus groups, gathering information from professionals, users and policymakers. The results show that an interprofessional network endures over time when it has established common objectives, has a formal organizational structure and working order and when backed by the institutional commitment of the services and entities that form part of it. The challenge is to establish shared workspaces where knowledge can be generated and that can have an influence on the improvement of the actions of the professionals of the network.