SEARCH Curriculum and Program Design

1. SEARCH Curriculum and Program Design Evolution and Guiding Principles

2. Evolution eras • 1995: INCLEN and IDRC • Principles for health system development and focus on community health • Model of training and development for under-capacity areas with ongoing linkage • Recognition of limitations of the academy to respond • 1997:Module-based themes • Recognition of the need for faculty ownership • Program design for inclusiveness and accessibility • 2000-01: Curriculum Framework and Faculty team • Stakeholder review and feedback (eg Red Deer and Edmonton) • Pidgeon Lake retreat: themes, plinths and threads

3. April 2001: What’s new this time? • Faculty team • Curriculum frame • Residential module schedule • Approach to projects • On-line environment • Network

4. Red Deer Joint Faculty MeetingApril 1, 2000 • Issues: • Cracks in the partnership – disparate expectations, cultures, planning horizons • Program planning processes – need to be more participatory • Explicit program logic model missing • Confusion about levels of competency • Confusion about timeline to see system change • Complex organizational context and influence – including on participants • Need for infrastructure as well as Will and Leadership

5. The Red Deer MeetingApril 1, 2000 • Skill sets needed in the curriculum: • Evidence-Based Decision Making • Research • Team member • Change agent • Collaborative network member • Network infrastructure development • Disseminate knowledge and skills • Electronic technology use • Development of and member of a supportive community • Outcomes: • New faculty arrangements and team; Program design process • Increased focus on organizational context and partner engagement

6. Pidgeon Lake Faculty RetreatJanuary 2001 • What are participants expected to do? • Developing the program map: threads, themes, plinths, modules, projects • Project support • On-line learning support • Teams identified • Modules scoped

7. Pidgeon Lake Faculty RetreatResonating Ideas • Developmental – kind of person, a “scholar practitioner”, systematic practice, using in context • Network – building linkages, work as a team, richness of face to face, build network of expertise, curriculum conceptual framework • Multi-directional learning – packaging, learning a set of things, creating opportunity for growth, building of evidence, expose to a range of people • Participants themselves – back to organization, take on new roles, intriguing, learning, working, willing to do more, how fit into organization • Entrepreneurial – SEARCH a marketable product, stand alone, business proposition, put on this footing, franchising design tricks • Not evangelical - Take up methods without buying into the religion - lots of noble things, how well we succeed, what SEARCH is not necessarily the best way, may do some good • Challenges to quality research – Doing or using – dangers of under-trained, amateur researchers, ‘evidence’ more helpful

8. Individual in Organization a formal internal presentation annually present to Board X times undertake relevant research wrt identified regional priority connect with people in other departmentsr reconnect with researchers in relation to shared information know how to get approval to do project connect with mentor to help make appropriate linkages be aware of organization’s business plan and management structure connects with research resources, activities in the organization research supports in the organization are identified access to data IT supports Organization time commitment is honored (40%) regular meetings with supervisor, mentor has been assigned supervisor, academic mentor, participant have met X times opportunity created for dissemination of project findings appropriate senior decision maker is identified and aware of project results Cross-boundary activity - links  Pidgeon LakeIdeas on Outcomes

9. April 2001: Key Concepts for Program Design • Knowledge transfer and system change • Organizational relationships • Creating supportive environments • Applied health research in Alberta • Collaborative research teams - relevant topics • A community of learning • Growth and achievement • variable and individualized goals for individuals and organizations

10. Program Strategies • Interactive teaching and learning • Advocacy and recognition • Research and development • Ongoing linkage and support

11. Curriculum Frame: ThemesAn integrated curriculum linked to goals Creating Evidence Choosing Evidence Using Evidence Context

12. Creating Research paradigms, policy and process Research designs, methods and techniques Evaluation and assessment methods Health data: sources, analysis and management Research ethics - conduct and review Developing & funding research projects & programs Using Organizational change and change management Decision-making Understanding Context Skills for Navigating Context Managing the interfaces Writing and presentation skills Dissemination An ‘Evidence Based Decision Making Health Organization’ Curriculum Frame: Threads • Choosing • Information management skills • Health information systems • Health knowledge sources • Information searching, selection and retrieval • Critical Appraisal of research for relevance, validity and importance • Systematic Research Synthesis

13. Learning Modes face to face, faculty team, participants, interested contributors, visiting speakers, group work and discussion Residential modules Project learning • group and individual, faculty mentors, collaborative teams • RHA team members On-line learning curriculum preparation, follow-up and support, discussion and team-building, project team work, communications

14. Supporting Approaches Curriculum Using Information Tools and Technologies Creating and Participating in Collaborative Networks Personal Development - scholar practitioner and change agent Navigating Context: personal, organisation, system, province

15. Residential sessions Jan – Feb – Mar – Apr – May – June – July – Aug – Sep – Oct – Nov - Dec Calgary 7 days Grande Prairie 5 days Leth- bridge 5 days Edmon- ton 7 days Project learning 01 On-line learning 5 days Red Deer 5 days 5 days 02 Wrap-up/ Transition 03

16. Projects: Topic Selection Engage RHA leadership in framing research themes • Province-wide consultation- the “big” themes • Continuing Care • Workforce Planning • Resource Allocation • Performance Measurement • Primary Care • Management involvement

17. Projects: MilestonesEnsure appraisal of project results Jan – Feb – Mar – Apr – May – June – July – Aug – Sep – Oct – Nov - Dec Theme and topic selection Proposal and Plan development Interest identification 01 Module 1 Module II Module III Module IV Review: Scientific/Ethics/Institution Implementation / Data Collection/Analysis 02 Module V Module VI Module VI 03 Reporting:Abstract, Presentation, Report, Paper Wrap-up/ Transition

18. Online Environment

19. A Network of Expertise • Long term vision of research capacity in the health system requires • building on initial individual capacity • promoting long term sustainability of individuals within organizations • Why more than training? • Individual capacity: lonely nature of ‘gappers’ and ‘bridgers’ • System capacity: disruption of networks, context of change

20. Objectives of SEARCH Network • develop a cohesive group across SEARCH cohorts • develop ongoing working relationships • identify common interests • establish collaborative projects • improve expertise • improve dissemination and uptake

21. How? February 2003 • Sustained Virtual Learning Community • sharing the common workspace • communications, discussion, collaboration • mentoring and teaching • access to knowledge resources and new learning • Face-to-Face opportunities • workshops linked to modules • project clusters

22. Virtual Learning Community • SEARCH desktop • common workspace, take it anywhere • access to new knowledge supports • shared progress and collaboration • Funding (ideas) • progressive sharing with health authorities • 2 yrs - 100% • 1 yr - 50% • grandfather clause!

23. People -focus SEARCHers and more Project -focus cross-boundaries Product -focus starting, finishing furthering, funding reporting, disseminating Support convening travelling facilitation writing help expert advice Project Clusters (ideas 2003)

24. SEARCH Network 2003 • Continued engagement of 70% of participants in research and practice: evaluation, outcome management, knowledge brokering, culture change, mentoring, program planning • Success of health authorities in competing for grants for practice innovation, evaluation and research activities

25. Fifth Cohort Northwestern Northernlights • SEARCH I, 96-98 • SEARCH II, 98-00 • SEARCH III, 01-03 • SEARCH IV, 03-05 • SEARCH V, 05-07 • 9/9 health regions • + Cancer Board • + First Nations Branch Peace Keeweetinok Mistahia Lakeland Aspen Capital E.Central Crossroads D Thompson AHW AMHB MDs HC Other RHA 5 Calgary Headwaters Chinook Palliser

26. Since 2001 • 2002: • Rose Bud • What does a successful SEARCHer look like? – the ‘Cs’ • Alumni House • What are the faculty roles? • Competency language • 2003: • Calgary: prep SEARCH IV • Curriculum elements, competency levels and timing. • Project re-definition and timing • 2004 • Kananaskis - Integration • Teach less, learn more • 2005: • Edmonton: prep SEARCH V • Timing, reducing content

27. Curriculum: Short informatics sessions Show, tell, do in Computer Lab Repeat sessions Site visits Create, Use, Choose Small group work Mini clinics Program: Pressure on RHAs to protect time Desktop Full text Adult learning philosophy Projects: Provincial project meetings SEARCH V Module 4: Keep

28. Curriculum: Pre-program assessment and basics if necessary More informatics skills sessions More mini clinics More small group work Program: Curriculum available 2 - 3 weeks in advance Increase soundproof/clean accommodations Projects: More project time earlier, with more faculty access (both individual and group) Mock proposal / project Intermodule group support and regular faculty contact (weekly) SV Module 4: Add

29. Curriculum: Learning styles exercise Program: Long weekends Didactic lectures Talking circle Grande Prairie Health regions doing laptop work SV Module 4: Drop

30. Curriculum Culture and context to Module 1 Team building to Module 1 Keep Module 1 with all introductory stuff Good/bad paper comparison Project Work: Assign local project advisors sooner More clarity around local project scope earlier Decrease scope of provincial project Program Design: More social open/close session Recruitment timeline pre Module 1 Module 1 in September; Module 2 before Conference Increase time between Modules 2 and 3 Change Calgary module location to Banff Design of the day (various views) More innovative ways of information delivery SV Module 4: Change

31. Edmonton 2006The ‘SEARCH’ Way • What makes it ‘SEARCH’? • Focus on learning, not teaching • Content and delivery flexible and responsive to the context • Supports individual AND community learning • Enhanced through technologies • Universally accessible • Faculty roles • Interest-based, flexible

32. Calgary 2007 • Build on Edmonton 2007: • Prepare for SEARCH VI • Integrate with Custom programming • Be realistic • what can we change/ improve THIS TIME?

33. Calgary 2007Focus Areas • Public health/population health concepts • Are we paying attention? Can we improve? • Balancing face to face and on line learning modes • Building towards flexible courseware • Elements that may be a good fit • Integrating new faculty roles and people • Opportunities for practice-based faculty • Opportunities for leadership, mentoring

34. Calgary 2007Additional Discussion • Local Projects in Classic • What are they? • How do we best support them? • Integrating topics • Across themes • Linking to the community through modules