The paired learning initiative is designed to pair-up managers and specialist registrar-level doctors within their healthcare organisation, in a way in which they can learn from each other’s experiences and expertise in developing and improving services for patients. The idea for the pilot project came from Dr Bob Klaber, who, in going through his postgraduate training in paediatrics, noticed how junior doctors and managers had very little understanding of each other’s roles and in many departments hardly ever spoke to each other. 

Evidence shows there is a clear link between an organisation’s performance and the level of engagement between clinicians and managers (Medical Engagement Scale; NHS Institute of Innovation and Improvement, 2010). The paired learning initiative responds to this urgent need to develop strategies which enhance engagement and collaborative working between clinicians and managers. 

Paired Learning was piloted within Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust during 2011. There have also been smaller pilot programmes in North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. This work has been strongly supported by the NHS London Leading for Health team and also by the NHS Institute. The pilot was developed by a team of experienced clinicians, managers and educationalists and has been underpinned by a comprehensive evaluation strategy.

Find out more in our paired learning website.