Master of Health Informatics at the University of Toronto

New Program in 2008* Today’s health care providers have access to more data than ever before. But effectively managing and using that clinical and administrative information has become a major challenge. Health informatics holds the key. The Master of Health Informatics (MHI) is a newly created professional, graduate-level program. This innovative program provides graduates with the expertise in clinical, information and communication technologies required to lead organizational and health system change. MHI Program Brochure [PDF] Innovative and Comprehensive Program The MHI prepares health informaticians – clinically and technically savvy solution architects who are able to bridge the gap between clinicians, and information and communication technology (ICT) specialists. Program highlights: 16-month full-time program combines expertise in health systems with applied knowledge in information and communication technologies. Faculty members are national and international experts in health systems and information technology from the Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (HPME) and the Faculty of Information Studies (FIS). A comprehensive, multi-disciplinary curriculum that provides a solid foundation in key Health Informatics competencies including: health and clinical systems and policy; health information processing; information and communication technologies in e-health; measurement, decision analysis, decision support and evaluation; project management; knowledge management and change management. A four-month professional practicum placement, which will provide valuable experiential learning under the supervision and mentorship of leading Health Informaticians within government, health service providers and the private sector. Learning is tailored to individual needs and work experience. Students will participate in lectures, seminars, case studies, computer labs and on-line learning. Expand Your Career Opportunities The Master of Health Informatics is ideal for individuals in their early career or those with an established career who wish to expand their role. It will hold particular interest for: Health services providers in all disciplines including nurses, physicians or allied health Business system analysts and computer, information or systems engineering specialists with exposure to health care delivery systems. Private sector managers and consultants with a focus in the health care industry. * Pending Ontario Council on Graduate Studies (OCGS) approval Admission Requirements Degree Requirements Course Descriptions Fees Let Us Know if You are Interested!

Coaching and Interprofessional Collaboration Project: Update from St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto

St. Joseph’s Health Centre is continuing to develop knowledge and practice base around interprofessional collaboration. A new project, Enhancing Interprofessional Collaboration through Coaching in Healthcare Settings aims to further develop and evaluate coaching interventions within health care teams. Expanding on work the Health Centre has already successfully studied in a Ministry funded pilot in 2006, this new project will look at coaching interventions of health care teams within the hospital and community health care settings.

The project will increase the number of “Coach Champions” within the organization, disseminate coaching interventions to all point of care teams at the Health Centre and enhance the Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC) curriculum content in a previously created coaching manual. “The coaches are interdisciplinary,” said Keith Adamson, Manager, Interprofessional Practice. “There are coaches from pharmacy, diagnostic imaging, social work, and we are hoping to include physicians.”

The focus is mainly on group work although a tool is used called an ‘electronic maze’. “It’s a tool that really helps participants understand their communication and teamwork styles,” explained Chris Daly, Project Consultant. “It is a fun exercise and people love to take part. It really does allow people to see how they function.”

The project will also facilitate collaboration with Parkdale Community Health Centre in implementing their IPC initiative across five teams and support them in the development of a coaching manual tailored to the Community Health Centre context.

The project will be evaluated using three methods: survey, observation and a semi-structured questionnaire. The survey will be given to participants before the coaching intervention and then one month after. It was constructed based on the literature about core collaborator competencies (Oandasan & Reeves, 2005) and the essential elements for collaboration (Way & Jones, 2000). “The survey focuses on six dimensions critical to interprofessional collaboration’” explained Adamson. “Those dimensions are trust and respect, communication, shared decision making, knowledge of roles, willingness to collaborate, and conflict resolution.”

An observation tool will also be used pre and post intervention, looking for evidence of the same seven dimensions in the survey. A semi-structured questionnaire will be administered post intervention for the collection of further qualitative data.

“Currently there are eight coaches and we are looking to train another 20 at various levels within the organization,” said Adamson. “By the end of this phase in March 2009, 350 people at St. Joseph’s will have been involved, and a total of 400 including our community partners. The whole idea of building champions internally is so that there will be sustainability once the project comes to its conclusion,” he said.

The Health Centre believes in building a firm foundation for Interprofessional practice and we look forward to reporting back on the successes of this exciting new project.

New Chair in Diabetes Management at The University of Western Ontario

Dr. Stewart Harris to lead diabetes research Chair

     LONDON, ON, Jan. 31 /CNW/ - Dr. Stewart Harris, the lead investigator of
a study which revealed that half of Canadians with diabetes are not properly
controlling their disease, has been selected as the first holder of the
Canadian Diabetes Association Chair in Diabetes Management at The University
of Western Ontario.
     The Canadian Diabetes Association and Western each committed $1 million
to the Chair, the cornerstone of a $5 million National Diabetes Management
Strategy. The Chair was established to develop and evaluate evidence-based
models of optimal diabetes management, and to advance the prevention and
treatment of diabetes, with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of the
approximately two million Canadians diagnosed with the disease, and the
millions of others at risk.
     "I am honoured to accept this position, as it offers exciting
opportunities to harness the existing expertise and programs of related
research here at Western. My vision is to establish a diabetes research
population cohort that will allow us to identify and respond to major gaps in
care, and to provide interdisciplinary research and training opportunities,"
said Dr. Harris. "As Ontario embarks on a major reform of primary care
delivery, the time is ripe to promote optimal diabetes care as a model of
effective chronic disease management."
     Dr. Harris is a professor in Family Medicine, Epidemiology and
Biostatistics, and Endocrinology at Western's Schulich School of Medicine &
Dentistry. He also holds the Ian McWhinney Chair in Family Medicine Studies.
Dr. Harris was the chair of the 2003 Clinical Practice Guideline Committee and
past-chair of the Clinical and Scientific Section of the Canadian Diabetes
Association. His major research interests focus on type 2 diabetes in
high-risk populations including Aboriginal Canadians and new immigrants, as
well as translational research on improving the management of diabetes in
primary care settings.
     "We're especially pleased about the appointment of Dr. Stewart Harris as
the inaugural Canadian Diabetes Association Chair in Diabetes Management at
The University of Western Ontario," said Michael Howlett, President & CEO,
Canadian Diabetes Association. "Stewart's commitment to diabetes is clear and
his position as a leader in the diabetes research community is well
established."
     Western and the Canadian Diabetes Association are working together to
raise an additional $3 million for the National Diabetes Management Strategy.

     The Canadian Diabetes Association works to prevent diabetes and improve
the quality of life for those affected by diabetes, through research,
education, service and advocacy. With a presence in more than 150 communities,
the Canadian Diabetes Association's strong network of assistance includes
volunteers, employees, healthcare professionals and partners. To learn more,
visit www.diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).

     The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at The University of Western
Ontario provides an outstanding education within a research intensive
environment where tomorrow's physicians, dentists and health researchers learn
to be socially responsible leaders in the advancement of human health.

The Michener Institute looking to expand archives during its 50th Anniversary

January 28^th, 2008 TORONTO – The Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences is beginning its 50^th Anniversary celebrations with The Golden Archives Launch on Tuesday, January 29^th, 2008 at 10 a.m.

As the first 50^th Anniversary event, The Golden Archives Launch marks the beginning of a year long campaign to gather items from alumni, students and past and present faculty and staff to expand the school’s archives. Michener is looking for donations of brochures, event programs, photos and other items people may have from their time at Michener. There will also be a video camera set up at the Launch for guests to record their favourite Michener memories. Some messages will be transcribed into the 50^th Anniversary commemorative book at the end of the year.

“This event will give us the opportunity to add to our archives and give people a chance to tell us stories about what Michener means to them,” says Dr. Paul Gamble, President and CEO, The Michener Institute. “In celebration of our 50^th year we invite anyone with memories and artifacts from Michener to come and share those with us and donate items to our archives.”

n addition to The Golden Archives Launch there are other events throughout 2008 to celebrate the major milestone of reaching 50.

• An appreciation event for Michener educators, past and present, held in May.
• In September Michener will host a street party for the Michener community, the University Avenue hospitals, Baldwin Village and the Queen Street West community.
• At the end of November, the very first Homecoming weekend will be held in conjunction with Michener’s Open House.
• On Homecoming weekend Michener will also host it’s first Alumni and Friends Gala Dinner.

What began as a Medical Laboratory pilot program at Toronto General Hospital is now an educational facility boasting over 18 full-time, part-time and continuing education programs, many unique to Ontario and Canada.

In the last 50 years many new programs and initiatives have helped Michener gain the reputation it has today. Programs like Respiratory Therapy, introduced in 1969, and Anesthesia Assistant, introduced in 2005, show that Michener is always evolving to fill the needs set forth by the Canadian health care system. Partnerships with Canadian universities such as U of T and Dalhousie, and international connections in Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica make Michener well respected in the academic communities of many countries.

For Michener, the 50^th Anniversary is a celebration of accomplishments from the past, enjoyment of the present and a look forward towards the future at what is to come.

Event: The Golden Archives Launch

Date: Tuesday, January 29^th, 2008 at 10 a.m.

Where: The Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences, 222 St. Patrick Street, Toronto, Ontario (One block west of University Avenue and north of Dundas Street)

For more information about Michener, interview requests or media tours:
Iliana Arapis 416-596-3120 / IArapis@michener.ca