What does it take to build a truly effective community of practice in healthcare? For Highland Hospice the answer is increasingly shaped by lessons from an unexpected source: Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) in Malawi.
Through a series of case-based learning sessions focused on palliative care, KUHeS has further emphasised that communities of practice thrive not just on shared knowledge—but on shared reflection, cultural humility, and emotional resonance. These sessions don’t just teach clinical skills; they created a space where learners could wrestle with ethical dilemmas, explore cultural tensions, and support one another through uncertainty. That’s the kind of learning that sticks.
Strengthening Communities of Practice
The KUHeS model has helped us reflect on what a community of practice should look like:
Psychological Safety Is Foundational: Learners felt safe enough to admit uncertainty, challenge assumptions, and share personal reflections. That openness is essential for growth.
Cultural Narratives Matter: Cases involving spiritual distress, family dynamics, and systemic barriers reminded us that clinical knowledge must be contextualized within lived experience.
Reflection Drives Connection: The sessions encouraged deep introspection—not just about what was done, but why. This kind of reflective dialogue builds trust and shared purpose.
Facilitation Is an Art: Skilled facilitators created space for vulnerability and curiosity, modelling the kind of leadership that sustains a learning community.
Applying These Lessons to ECHO
Inspired by this approach, we’re now re interpreting these principles into our new ECHO Infection Management programme. Rather than traditional didactic teaching followed by case based learning, we’re fostering a collaborative learning environment where cases are central, reflected on together, and solutions are co-created while facilitators weave a mixture of teaching, mentoring and directing into the discussions.
This isn’t just about managing infections—it’s about managing complexity, uncertainty, and the human dimensions of care. By anchoring our sessions in real-world scenarios and encouraging even more open dialogue, we’re building a community that blends insight and learning seamlessly but effectively, every time.
A New Perspective
The KUHeS experience has reminded us that the best communities of practice are not built on content alone—they’re built on connection. As we move forward with ECHO, we’re committed to maintaining this space where humility, curiosity, and shared reflection underpins every interaction.
Because when we learn together, we care better—across borders, disciplines, and cultures.