Abstract
ABOUT US: We are a nonprofit, multi-service Community Health Centre (CCHC) that has played an active role in the down town community of Ottawa Ontario, Canada since 1969. We offer a full range of community services delivered by a diverse team of professionals. Our team includes doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, counsellors, dietitians, community developers, health promoters, and outreach workers.
CCHC has been offering teaching placements in Primary Care to medical students and residents, as well as nurse practitioners (NP), since 2002. CCHC Primary Care Team has also hosted learners from a variety of other disciplines including nursing (RN students), social workers and medical receptionists. The teaching began through the initiative of a few committed practitioners, with varying levels of support from the Primary Care Team and CCHC; the teaching continues to be primarily led by the Centre’s preceptors
Approach: CCHC conducted a program review of its teaching placements in Primary Care. The scope of this program review includes CCHC’s teaching placements for medical students, NP students, and residents from the University of Ottawa (UOttawa). The focus of this review is on both the process (how the program is working) and the outcomes (what the program is achieving). Data were collected through a combination of focus groups, key informant interviews and surveys. All members of the team were involved in as well as past learners and key stake holders such as the University and other Community Health Centers.
The review was done by One World INC, lead by Ken Hoffman and a team from Centertown CHC including 2 family doctors, one Nurse practitioner and a manager. The University of Ottawa offered evaluation and research guidance as well as conduction an extensive literature review of teaching in Community Health Centers.
Results: CCHC has benefitted from the teaching, primarily through the ability to recruit physicians and NPs; as staff or locums; CCHC has had no difficulty in recruitment in recent years.
oMany learners rate the CCHC placements and preceptors highly. A high percentage said they were able to address their learning goals for the placements; they cited their experiences working with vulnerable populations and in team-based care as important parts of their learning. Many learners who responded to surveys said their experience at CCHC contributed significantly to their consideration of a career in team-based primary care in a community setting.
oUOttawa says the preceptors and placements at CCHC are evaluated highly by the learners.
oThe other team members, nurses, reception, scheduling coordinator, mangers all identify some extra work and logistical issue with having learners, but on the whole felt that the benefits of the program out weigh the extra work.
Implications: If we want our learners to practice in team based models, we need to teach them in such models. Our review showed that the educational program meets that goal. Expanding such teaching and learning and opportunities in our communities will support the growth of team work as we move forward