Ontario Training Centre in Health Services and Policy Research LEARNING PLAN Name: LEARNING PLAN FOR ILLUSTRATION Mentor: Please indicate which competencies you have already developed, which you plan to develop as part of your Degree Program, and which you plan to develop as part of the Diploma. Indicate the courses and other learning activities planned to allow development of specific competencies and skills. Competency or specific skills. 1. Understanding of the Canadian health care system and how it has evolved over time; the implications of policy legacies, values and interests and institutional structures for further system modification and policy development; a critical appreciation of health services governance, organization, financing and delivery options and of the effect of geography on these options. Master s Thesis: an ethnographic study assessing the impact of the new Natural Health Product Regulations on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioner groups in Ontario Interview the individuals in charge of various CAM associations in ON will focus on the initial impact of new regulations on these groups NUR 1024: Qualitative Research Foundations, Methods and Designs - learning about qualitative frameworks and methodological theories these theories will be used to understanding the impact new policy has on its stakeholders Enrolling in HAD5010: Canada s Health System and Health Policy in Sept 2004 (University of Toronto: Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation) Practicum component of program to be potentially completed in July/August of 2004 currently exploring different options, and will most likely be working in a health policy context Summer Institute - will learn more about the Canadian health care system in Thunder Bay Literature review on how natural health products were regulated in the past and an examination of the current regulations PHM1125H CAM: Health System and Policy Issues examining how CAM can be integrated with the rest of the Canadian health care system, examining how CAM practitioners can be regulated in Canada. 1 Describe how it was done. 2 Indicate activity or course that will address competency or specific skill as well as expected timelines for completion. 3 Indicate activity or course that will address competency or specific skill as well as expected timelines for completion.
2. Ability to effectively carry out health services research including: a) Ability to synthesize and critically evaluate information produced by health services research. b) Ability to frame researchable questions regarding health services, policies and/or systems. c) Ability to effectively select from, integrate, and apply a range of conceptual frameworks and research methods drawn from different disciplines to answer health services and policy questions and help resolve health services issues. d) Awareness of the importance of contextual issues (e.g., cultural diversity, gender, geography, socio-economic circumstances and local conditions) in the formulation, development and execution of health services research.. e) Ability to select and develop reliable, valid measures and indicators of health services and system performance. f) Ability to select from and apply a variety of analytic approaches that match the research question(s) and context g) Ability to work effectively with health services researchers from other disciplines. h) Awareness of ethical issues relating to all aspects of the research enterprise. a) PHM 1124: International Pharmaceutical Policy: Understanding the Power and Politics behind it - analyze international drug policy by critically reading the current literature a) CHL 5118 H: International Health, Human Rights, and Peace: critically analyze issues related to international health, human rights and peace building b) CHL 5118 H & PHM 1124 - wrote policy papers relating to access to antiretrovirals in South Africa as well as how to regulate bioprospecting in an international context d) My background in cultural/medical anthropology emphasized the importance of contextual issues in research d) PHM 1124 & CHL 5118 emphasized issues in the developing world vs. the developed world. Example the distribution of drugs in South Africa must be examined in its cultural context; drugs should not be distributed using a Western model a) PHM 1125H1S critically assess the safety and efficacy of CAM products and therapies b) Master s thesis is based on policy issue: How do CAM practitioner groups believe they will be impacted by the new natural health product regulations? Thesis proposal due April 3, 2004. c) NUR 1024: introduce and critically analyze theoretical foundations, designs and analysis strategies employed in qualitative research illustrate the influence of distinct theoretical frameworks on methodological choices examine designs and techniques for gathering data to explore analysis and representation of data c) Master s thesis - currently examining different frameworks and methodologies from different disciplines to frame my research c) Master s thesis is part of a larger multidisciplinary team and will be exposed to other disciplines and ideas d) Master s thesis: it will be important to understand the context in which CAM practitioners operate and how the new regulations arose. e) Master s thesis: ethnographic study will be used, where key informant interviews will be employed to understand the impact of the new regulations Practicum a number of these skills will be reinforced Summer Institute will expose me to a number of these skills f) QSR NUD*IST Qualitative data analysis program course to be completed at a later date this program will assist me in analyzing data collected from thesis f) NUR 1024 section of course will focus
on analytical approaches f) PSY 202S: Statistical Methods for Psychology currently enrolled in undergraduate stats class to further my stats knowledge and learn about SPSS g) Master s thesis is part of a larger multidisciplinary team h) Master s thesis will require ethics proposal h) NUR 1024 - class lesson will focus on ethics surrounding qualitative research 3. Understanding of theories about how the health of populations is produced, maintained and enhanced at the individual, group, community, provincial and national level. 4. Understanding of theories of health and health services knowledge production; the social, economic, political and ethical factors that influence knowledge production; and, the diverse assumptions embedded in knowledge production. PHM 1124: discussed issues pertaining to how politics can influence pharmaceutical policy Master s Thesis: federal regulations implemented to protect the health of Canadians by examining why the regulations were implemented will help to illustrate the health needs of Canadians NUR1024: examining how knowledge is produced from different theoretical perspectives and how knowledge production differs depending on the theory or world view you are coming from PHM 1125: assignment to be completed on dispelling a common CAM myth Review current literature surrounding theories of how the population of health is produced and discuss main themes with Supervisor Summer Institute in Thunder Bay will help to illuminate and understand theories pertaining to knowledge production Practicum may also help to understand and apply these theories PHM 1125: Policy brief to be completed on a CAM issue that a policy maker considers relevant to the times 5. Ability to effectively exchange PHM 1124 & CHL5118H presentations in both classes Master s thesis is part of a larger Practicum will involve building relationships with professionals in the
knowledge and develop research partnerships with stakeholders in the health field (e.g., citizens, health care providers, decisionmakers at all levels). improve public speaking skills multidisciplinary team Master s thesis will be interviewing CAM practitioners potential to develop partnerships PHM1125 & NUR1024: presentation requirement health field Summer Institute exchange knowledge and ideas with fellow students as well as health professionals attending the workshop I have attached course outlines for all the above mentioned classes: o HAD5010: Canada s Health System and Health Policy Enroll in September-December 2004 o NUR 1024: Qualitative Research Foundations, Methods and Designs Currently enrolled January-April 2004 o PSY 202S: Statistical Methods for Psychology Currently enrolled January-April 2004 o PHM1125H Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Health System and Policy Issues Currently enrolled January-April 2004 o PHM 1124: International Pharmaceutical Policy: Understanding the Power and Politics behind It Complete September-December 2003 o CHL 5118 H: International Health, Human Rights, and Peace Complete September-December 2003
o Name of degree program in which you are enrolled: Master s of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences OTC enrolment date: Date Proposed date of completion of degree: Summer 2005 Proposed date of completion of diploma: Summer 2005 Topic area of thesis/project or final paper: How do CAM practitioner groups in Ontario believe they will be impacted by the new Natural Health Product Regulations? StudentName, StudentIDNumber Student s Name & ID Number Student s Signature Date OTC Mentor s Name OTC Mentor s Signature Date Approved by: OTC Site Director s Name OTC Site Director s Signature Date OTC Director s Name OTC Director s Signature Date Please return this form to the corresponding Graduate Programs Office for processing by the Ontario Training Centre.