Supporting research & program evaluation, education & professional development and knowledge exchange in public health Focus group Oct. 5, 2010
Thank you To you for travelling and joining us at the planning table To your colleagues, health units and associations for engaging in the webinar and responding to the survey We are looking forward to an animated and constructive discussion 2
Welcome and introductions Welcome to representatives from health units across the province 32 health units confirmed participation Welcome to our colleagues from public health and professional associations Welcome to our ministry partners from both Ministry of Health and Long- Term Care and the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport Introduce OAHPP staff 3
Today s goals Share feedback on proposed elements outlined in the discussion paper and survey Consider and reflect on the priorities as identified by survey respondents Foster development of a shared understanding of health unit perspectives across the system Refine the potential elements in the context of our values and transfer goals to inform final program development and implementation 4
A BRIEF RECAP 5
Evidence as the foundation for public health practice Public health programs and services that are informed by evidence are the foundation for effective public health practice. Evidence-informed practice is responsive to the needs and emerging issues of the health unit and uses the best available evidence to address them. Population health assessment, surveillance, research and program evaluation generate evidence that contributes to the public health knowledge base and ultimately to public health programs and services. Foundational Standard of the Ontario Public Health Standards, 2008 6
Critical functions to public health Applied research and program evaluation, education and professional development, and knowledge exchange are critical functions to support public health community Since 1990s, Public Health Research, Education and Development (PHRED) program has sought to serve these functions for sector PHRED program as 50-50 cost-shared program (provincial/municipal) All health units regardless of whether they had a PHRED site or not still sought to pursue these functions 7
Challenges as identified by CRC Insufficient investment in developing public health knowledge through applied research. Little attention is paid to enhancing and improving coordination and collaboration between funders, research, practitioners and policy makers. The PHRED program is unable to provide adequate support to all health units across the province. There are continuing challenges in ensuring that knowledge about effective interventions is put into practice. Source: Revitalizing Ontario s Public Health Capacity: The Final Report of the Capacity Review Committee (2006) 8
A NEW DIRECTION 9
Transfer of the provincial share Cabinet approved transfer of the provincial share of PHRED program funding to OAHPP effective January 1, 2011 Focus on the PHRED program functions and support to health units to achieve the Foundational Standard Great opportunity to leverage off OAHPP s infrastructural and human resources Only the provincial share of the program funding will be transferred, this represents 50% of the total 2009/10 funding 10
Current PHRED program functions Public health knowledge synthesis, dissemination and diffusion Continuing education for existing health professionals Leadership in undergraduate, graduate and continuing professional education of future public health professionals Applied public health research and program evaluation 11
Alignment with OAHPP Vision We will be an internationally recognized centre of expertise dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of all Ontarians through the application and advancement of science and knowledge. Mission We are accountable to support health-care providers, the public health system and partner ministries in making informed decisions and taking informed action to improve the health and security of all Ontarians, through the transparent and timely provision of credible scientific advice and practical tools. Mandate To provide scientific and technical advice for those working to protect and promote the health of Ontarians.
Goals for the transfer Link back to Foundational standard: Enable evidence-informed practice that is responsive to the needs and emerging issues of the health unit and uses the best available evidence to address them. Support health units in generating and accessing public health knowledge Link back to OAHPP role: Knowledge, information and support Provide system-level supports and infrastructure Build on and align with local, regional and central capacity Fill gaps, reduce duplication, link to scientific expertise 14
Timeline and overview Tri-partite Working Group Government policy process Cabinet decision to transfer OAHPP internal discussions / Consultation with five PHRED sites Research and option development Initial consultations (OPHA board, COMOH) Spring 2009 December 2009 May June 2010 Fall 2009 January May 2010 15
Jan June 2010 October November 2010 March 2011 - onwards July October 2010 November 2010 February 2011 Options Paper development Survey Focus group Program decisions Dissemination and planning Implementation Roll-out Research and preparatory phase Decision and dissemination phase Roll-out phase Consultation phase Planning and implementation phase 16