Empowering Healthcare Professionals by IS Education: Enhancing Reflective Empowerment

The paper presents findings from a research study of an information systems master program in Sweden, targeting healthcare professionals. The aim of the study was to explore if and how mechanisms of empowerment and reflective practice can be evoked in healthcare professionals by participating in a master program in information systems. A mixed research methodology was applied, including participant observation, document analysis and a learning style inventory. The findings of the study showed signs of the students achieving a higher degree of empowerment in their professional roles, as well as beginning to actively use reflective practice as a means of professional development. The findings are summarised in a tentative framework of reflective empowerment. The findings call for further research on how IT-centred master programs targeting healthcare professional could enhance professional development.