Elda Nikolou-Walker

The current book is a short synopsis of Professional Doctorates (DProf) programs. It provides a practical illustration of the content of these programs, how they are structured, how to craft the required dissertations and how students can succeed in these programs. Mostly tailored for professionals in advanced practice, DProf and the cognate programs of DProf by Publications (or Public Works) are growing in popularity as they offer candidates the opportunity to merge practical experience with academic skills. DProf programmes enhance work-based learning and reflective practice skills while implementing scholarly works. This book, shaped as a practical study guide, describes the major aspects of DProf programmes, how to create a successful thesis and how to be effective in extracting scholarly research from candidates' daily practice. Therefore, the Masters and Doctorates in Professional Practice (MProf/DProf) emphasise study inquiry in a professional setting while fostering critical reflection and career advancement through practice-based research projects. DProf postgraduate programs encourage a reflective approach into candidates' settings of practice to develop projects and policies to change these settings and advance the quality of services provided to their customers or clients. Methodologies and methods for creating DProf dissertations and research are discussed in detail such as modes of knowledge production, reflectivity, reflexivity, critical incident analysis, middle-range theories, qualitative inquiry, reflective cycles and autoethnography.

The current book is a short synopsis of Professional Doctorates (DProf) programs. It provides a practical illustration of the content of these programs, how they are structured, how to craft the required dissertations and how students can succeed in these programs. Mostly tailored for professionals in advanced practice, DProf and the cognate programs of DProf by Publications (or Public Works) are growing in popularity as they offer candidates the opportunity to merge practical experience with academic skills. DProf programmes enhance work-based learning and reflective practice skills while implementing scholarly works. This book, shaped as a practical study guide, describes the major aspects of DProf programmes, how to create a successful thesis and how to be effective in extracting scholarly research from candidates' daily practice. Therefore, the Masters and Doctorates in Professional Practice (MProf/DProf) emphasise study inquiry in a professional setting while fostering critical reflection and career advancement through practice-based research projects. DProf postgraduate programs encourage a reflective approach into candidates' settings of practice to develop projects and policies to change these settings and advance the quality of services provided to their customers or clients. Methodologies and methods for creating DProf dissertations and research are discussed in detail such as modes of knowledge production, reflectivity, reflexivity, critical incident analysis, middle-range theories, qualitative inquiry, reflective cycles and autoethnography.

‘Interprofessional Practice is increasingly important in contemporary healthcare. This book, based on original research, provides an excellent outline of the key issues and strategies to promote optimal care. While the original work was carried out in Mental Health settings, it sets out key principles transferable to other healthcare settings. I strongly recommend this book to those involved health professionals, that is, practitioners, managers and policymakers.’ (Prof John Fulton, University of Sunderland) Interprofessional practice is a well-known topic for all public and private health professionals, but there has been limited research on social network analysis in determining the actual configuration of professional networks and their impact on teamwork and patient care. Furthermore, previous interprofessional theories appear limited to specific sectors and are not generalisable. The book’s authors propose novel insiders’ views about collaborative practice as ‘experts’ of the sector, with plenty of applications that can attract healthcare professionals and policymakers aiming to improve integrated care based on Evidence-Based Practice and Practice-Based Evidence.