Deuterolearning implications for managing public health change

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to apply an allied health subculture model to clarify key contextual factors that can emerge in the evolution of an allied health subculture as a consequence of deuterolearning. Designmethodologyapproach Two case studies are compared to illustrate these two extreme variations in deuterolearning. Findings The first case characterised by pathological deuterolearning operated within the classical medical model. A learning pathology that developed in this situation was a fractured, divisive, self absorbed work culture. A second case characterised by positive deuterolearning operated within a divisional structure characterized by integrated decentralization. What was learned as a result of operating within this alternative organisational structure is that effective management of allied health recognizes two governance arenas governance required for managing professionals and governing principles for delivering clinical services. Positive deuterolearning occurred in this situation rather than the reinforcement of existing learning pathologies. Research limitationsimplications There are clearly implications of the two structural models for selffulfilling prophecies, interpersonal interaction, climate formation and learning pathologies. Practical implications During a period of major reform differing outcomes in deuterolearning in these two cases emphasize the importance of the evolution of appropriate organisational structures in developing a leadershipdriven learning process and creating an environment in which learning can occur. Originalityvalue The added value of this application of deuteron learning is that it unpacks the nature of variations in deutoro learning that can emerge during a period of major reform in the evolution of an allied health subculture.