1. 1
Right Start Forum
North Coast HealthFusion
Health Care Team Challenge
Associate Professor Monica Moran
Professor Susan Nancarrow
Southern Cross University, University of Queensland, University Centre
for Rural Health – North Coast, Northern NSW Local Health District
27 February 2012
Team Health Right Start Program Showcase
27 February 2012

2. 2
Introduction & Background
 Based on the HealthFusion Health Care Team Challenge
Model developed by the University of Queensland
 A leadership strategy that engages students, academic
staff, practising professionals, policymakers and industry
in a whole-of-system approach to interprofessional
practice.
Team Health Right Start Program Showcase
27 February 2012

3. 3
Aim & Methods
1. To introduce a community based, interdisciplinary North
Coast HealthFusion Health Care Team Challenge.
2. To build regional capacity for interdisciplinary team learning
and events.
3. To create a sustainable model for ongoing interdisciplinary
learning, sharing and growth that meets the needs of the local
population and practitioners, and creates a template for
‘virtual’ approaches to interdisciplinary team working in a
regional setting.

Team Health Right Start Program Showcase
27 February 2012

4. 4
Aim & Methods
4. To create ongoing partnerships with practitioners from
across the region, and beyond, to support interdisciplinary
teaching, learning and practice.
5. To develop a cohort of young (Interprofessional
Education) IPE champions who will advocate for change
to traditional practice models.
6. To evaluate the longer term outcomes for students who
participate in the HCTC in collaboration in partnership
with HealthFusion at the University of Queensland.
Team Health Right Start Program Showcase
27 February 2012

5. 5
Aim & Methods
 Undergraduate students from Southern Cross University and
the University Centre for Rural Health (North Coast) were
invited to participate using a range of interactive media to
support ‘virtual’ team learning and collaboration.
 Teams presented their case study in 5 minutes to a live
audience in a competitive format.
 A key focus of our approach was the virtual nature of the
teams, and identification of approaches to working in an
interdisciplinary way when the team is not co-located.
Team Health Right Start Program Showcase
27 February 2012

6. 6
Results
 2 student teams (OT, nursing,
osteopathy, naturopathy)
 8 professional mentors
 35 audience participants
 Participants perceived that the HFTC
was an overwhelming success at
supporting students in;
 Working together to achieve team
based care Students present and compete in
 Learning roles of other professionals interactive team activities while the
 Providing authentic learning experience audience actively observes.
to promote ethical and safe practice
Team Health Right Start Program Showcase
27 February 2012

7. 7
Changes in student outcomes
 NB limited by very small numbers
 Greatest improvement on the IPVS (>3 points)
 I have better appreciation of using a common language
across the health professionals in a team
 I have gained an awareness of my own role on a team
 I have gained an enhanced perception of myself as
somebody who engages in professional practice
 I am able to negotiate more openly with others within a
team
Team Health Right Start Program Showcase
27 February 2012

8. 8
What participants liked...
 Thecompetition brought professions together - A
good opportunity despite small numbers.
 The time spent working with people training from
different points of view. Demonstrated overlap as well
as diversity of focus.
 Thecase complexity involving physical, functional,
psychological and social domains.
Team Health Right Start Program Showcase
27 February 2012

9. 9
What participants said could be improved...
 Time... Time... Time...
 Better time of year for students
 Slightly longer preparation for students
 Slightly longer presentation time for students
Team Health Right Start Program Showcase
27 February 2012

10. 10
Conclusions & Lessons Learned
 What worked well?
 Well established model of IP working with strong
project management support and coordination via UQ
 Employing an events coordinator
 Use of professional mentors was valued by students
and mentors
 Positive engagement with local indigenous
community (although unable to attend at last minute)
 Indigenous clinical case study – Students reported
they enjoyed the challenge.
Team Health Right Start Program Showcase
27 February 2012

11. 11
Conclusions & Lessons Learned
 What worked well?
 Collaboration across region – UCRH and Northern
NSW Local Health District. Initiated good engagement
regionally
 Involvement of Complementary Therapists
 Interactive learning – standardised patient
 Amphitheatre style room – audience were able to
actively observe and interact.
Team Health Right Start Program Showcase
27 February 2012

12. 12
Conclusions & Lessons Learned
 What could have worked better?
 Timing of recruitment (students already in exams)
created challenges for uptake
 Short time frame between funding and
implementation led to confusion about which project
students should be involved with (UCRH vs SCU
projects in Lismore)
 Would have liked more time to share ideas / learning
with other teams
 Virtual team working – needed more time to facilitate
this appropriately
Team Health Right Start Program Showcase
27 February 2012

13. 13
Where to from here?
 Propose to establish a NSW regional HFTC
 Themodel will be incorporated within the
undergraduate curriculum at SCU, and we are in
discussions about widening this model locally
 Aiming to get students to the national event!
Team Health Right Start Program Showcase
27 February 2012