Appreciative Inquiry, a LightHouse on a Foggy Path: Healthcare Teams Share Success Stories

Abstract

As a psychologist I believed I had a good understanding of group dynamics and organisational change principles. As my project began, I was optimistic about being able to support multidisciplinary colleagues and act as a catalyst for change. I was to learn some hard lessons about the complexity of “wicked” healthcare systems (and the limits of my influence) but I also learned about the value of Appreciative Inquiry (AI). Amid a stalled implementation process, widespread disillusionment and change-fatigue, AI proved effective in prompting diverse groups to engage in positively framed narratives. It enabled new teams to “build bridges” over organisational and discipline boundaries – towards a shared vision of a desired future.