Table 2 Quotes from participants and field notes for the ‘Heterogeneity’ domain

1.a

There was a balance between the number of professionals and patients, and this is positive. I really liked the fact that the professionals belonged to different disciplines and were of different ages and educational backgrounds because I think it was a very enriching element…it was an opportunity for a very good discussion and to also create a collaboration with different points of view, and I really liked that the patients told stories about different pathologies…the idea is to focus on one's suffering in general, here it is, regardless of the pathology. (INT_08)

1.b

Certainly, the heterogeneity of the group and the absence of hierarchies allowed us to gain a broader vision, from more points of view; thus, to better understand the reality. The more points of view, the more roles I interface with, the more I become aware of my role in that context in relation to others. This was the collaborative learning we experienced. (INT_01)

1.c

It was a richness …common elements emerged spontaneously in the group…the final objective was to humanise medicine, which does not care about people, a little. (INT_06)

1.d

One participant during the lesson described himself as a curious person at the beginning of the course and now as a person writing his story, and in a year's time, he sees himself as a person who, through self-narration and discussion with others, has achieved a certain degree of freedom and awareness. Another participant stated that he sees himself as a person who is increasing his empathy and patient-centred skills. Another professional said that he sees himself as a better health professional in the future through this group. (FN)

l.e

Often, the young healthcare professionals and caregivers moved in and out of the activity and during social moments together. Their attitude changed when addressing the elderly; they were more formal in their behavior and communication. Furthermore, they were often seen as a subgroup frequently identified with the term "the young." They were mostly considered inexperienced, with little experience, both in a negative sense and positively as a driver of change. (FN)