ABSTRACT Oulu University of Applied Sciences Rehabilitation programme ________________________________________________________________________ Author(s): Erja Kaakkuriniemi and Jaana Leino Title of thesis:”Shared Spirit, Shared Language” – An Operating Model for the Rehabilitation Services in the City of Oulu Supervisor(s): Principal Lecturer, PhD Arja Veijola Term and year when the thesis was submitted: Summer 2013 Number of pages: 110 + 61 appendices ________________________________________________________________________________ Along with the reform of the municipal structure, a new City of Oulu rehabilitation services unit was established by the five municipalities of Haukipudas, Kiiminki, Oulu, Oulunsalo and Yli-Ii. The development measures for the Rehab Services of the new City of Oulu were implemented in 2011-2013. The development activities were launched because of a need to develop a uniform operating model for the Rehab Services. The process of change concerning the offices of rehabilitation had already been started before the official unification of the municipalities. The objective of the programmatic development work was to create a common operating model to the Rehab Services which defines common starting points, working procedures and tools. As a method for the research and development were chosen the approach of participatory action research and ethnographic action research. The development work was done in small teams and in development days where all staff attended. The development model build up because of the need to get the staffs voice heard with participatory methods. During the development process various data materials were collected and analyzed, and the data provided by the analysis was always used as a factor to promote development. The starting point of the operating model to Rehab Services are the rehabilitation client’s needs and their early identification. The needs of the rehabilitation client’s start the planning process of the rehabilitation. From the results of the development work benefits the customers needing rehabilitation services in the Oulu region, their relatives and the various professionals working in Rehab Services. The operational model for Rehab Services and all staff involving development model were born as the result of the development work. The operational model defines an unified vision of a good rehabilitation practice. During the development process different kinds of working methods and tools were created for the various professional groups of Rehab Services. The development work benefits not only the staff of Rehab Services but also the many networks integrated with the Rehab Services and the customers needing rehabilitation services in the Oulu region. ______________________________________________________________________________ Keywords: medical rehabilitation, operating model, transdisciplinary team, action research