Open Space meeting: a different way of liaising
During an Open Space meeting, professionals and clients come together to discuss their experiences with a specific care theme. This takes place without the structure of a meeting and without management steering. It is actually more like an organised coffee break.
Of interest to:
- patients and clients
- healthcare providers
Recommended for:
- documenting experiences, wishes, needs, problems and areas for improvement of clients and healthcare providers
An Open Space meeting is an effective way to quickly solve problems. It is a process without the structure of a meeting but with a common goal or central question. Participants discuss what interests them. The Law of Two Feet applies during the meeting: if at any time you find yourself in a situation where you are neither learning nor contributing, use your two feet and go somewhere you can.
Reasons for conducting an Open Space meeting:
- using available knowledge, experience and vision in the best way possible
- speed and being able to get started right away
- increasing the responsibility and involvement of participants
- new contacts within the group
Files
Open Space method (website Toe Co mst) (in Dutch)
Open Space manual (Open Space World website)
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Background
Open Space meetings were given the name ‘Open Space’ sometime in the eighties. The name was the idea of Harrison Owen. After a traditional conference, participants indicated that they had discussed the really important matters during the coffee break, making for very effective coffee break!