A review of cultural-historical activity theory's contribution to interprofessional learning and practice in healthcare: A meta-ethnography

Context This paper reviews cultural-historical activity theory's (CHAT) contribution to interprofessional learning and practice (IPLP) in healthcare. The intent is to allow greater access to the concepts and the empirical knowledge accumulated by scholars who have utilized CHAT, thereby facilitating deeper engagement with CHAT in study designs. Methods: A meta-ethnographic study was conducted to take stock of the literature. Eight major databases and two specific journals were searched for IPLP studies that utilized CHAT. Full-texts were coded and analyzed in consultation with procedures outlined by Noblit and Hare. Results: 34 full-texts from 30 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies were conducted in a wide spectrum of care settings, disciplines, and involved a myriad of healthcare professionals. The studies contributed to the empirical CHAT literature by fulfilling four types of research purposes: providing foundations; specifying mechanisms; developing interventions; and projecting the future. Organization of IPLP was characterized by contradictions brought about by concomitant demands of expansion and alignment of object motives; and reining in and unbridling of systems. Conclusion: Scholars of IPLP utilizing CHAT will benefit from greater deliberation in their choice of context and concept in research inquiries. Novel juxtapositions of concepts and context can stimulate the development of creative notions.