International Festival of Public Health

S3 - Teaching and Training

'First do no harm': some quandaries as a volunteer in a Low Income Country.

Presenter: Adrian Sutton, University of Manchester

Other Author(s): None

Abstract Text: Managing the feelings and impulses which arise in us in our professional role is essential to ensure actions are reasonable and well-reasoned and to prevent impetuous, potentially dangerous, behaviour. 'First do no harm' is a fundamental principle of medical practice: it reminds us to temper the pursuit of the wish 'do good' with proper awareness that we might do harm despite our best intentions. For the last 4 years I have been part of the Gulu-Man Link, a medical educational partnership between UHSM and Gulu University & Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda. My role is to contribute through the general medical student program and in the clinical setting of the Mental Health Unit. My approach is based on observation and enquiry, including reflecting on my own experience and behaviour in the immediacy of the setting and subsequently with colleagues, in order to learn and from that position to be able to teach.I will present situations which have arisen in engaging with this environment with its differences in practice, resources, training and expectations of health professionals and the problems faced by a post-conflict community. The greatest challenge has been to evaluate my contribution particularly how I can avoid having an adverse impact . Themes have arisen which also reflect other people's experiences when operating in novel and complex situations.My conclusion is that, alongside other induction and support processes for international volunteers, an appreciation of psychodynamic influences and ethical analysis should be an essential component.

Evaluation of Talk Cancer - a cancer awareness training programme for community-based health workers and volunteers

Presenter: Dr Helen George, Cancer Research UK

Other Author(s): Leanne Crook, Caroline Philpott, Kirstie Osborne

Abstract Text: Aims: Cancer Research UK's Talk Cancer training workshops aim to equip and empower frontline health workers and volunteers to raise cancer awareness and promote health behaviour change in their community. This study evaluated the impact of 61 workshops delivered across England between April 2014 and March 2015. Here we present descriptive data ahead of tests for statistical significance.

Methods:Pre and post workshop surveys were completed by 79% of trainees on the day of training (n=643). These measured awareness of nine cancer risk factors and all three NHS Cancer Screening Programmes, beliefs relating to having conversations about cancer, and confidence to discuss five cancer-related topics with members of the public.

Results:Awareness of all risk factors increased, with the largest increase observed for physical inactivity (45% to 91%). Awareness of all NHS Cancer Screening Programmes also increased, with the largest increase observed for bowel cancer screening (90% to 98%). Beliefs relating to having conversations about cancer improved with those reporting that they would 'find it hard to talk to someone about cancer' and that they would 'try to avoid talking to someone about cancer' decreasing from 28% to 10% and 13% to 5%, respectively. Feeling 'very confident' or 'fairly confident' to discuss all cancer-related topics increased, with the largest shift observed for talking about 'cancer in general' (48% to 98%).

Conclusions:Talk Cancer training increased awareness of cancer risk factors and NHS Cancer Screening Programmes. It also improved beliefs relating to having conversations about cancer and confidence to have such conversations. Follow-up data has been collected from 200 of these trainees two months after training to determine the sustainability of these changes.

A very preliminary set of outputs from the Introduction to Population Health

Presenter: Dr. Ilan Chamovitz, Manchester Business School

Other Author(s): None

Abstract Text: The research called 'Information and Knowledge Management in Educational Collaborative Activities' is being developed at the Manchester Business School, with the support of Health Ministry Brazil. It investigates approaches that can be applied in courses in Brazil and United Kingdom. It involves Information and Knowledge Management, Distance Learning, Analytics in the fields of Services, mostly Health and Education.The aim of this work is to show preliminary outcomes from a distance course about Population Health that run in distance in 2014.

Design: One researcher is an experienced on line tutor working for The Health Ministry Brazil for the last 25 years. He participated in a MOOC course provided by IPH, UoM, and used some indicators for a preliminary reflection.

About the course: An Introduction to Population Health is a MOOC Massive Open Online Course, offered by The University of Manchester, led by Aneez Esmail, a general practitioner and professor from The University of Manchester.

Results: This preliminary analysis spotted out some interests in themes such as: 1. health inequalities; 2. differences between public health and other concepts. Participants profile indicators showed US had more participants, followed by UK and Canada. Together, BRICS were ranked in second. Considering the participation along the time, data shows first and last weeks as the most active periods. However, along the course, some differences had been found considering participants posting or just viewing messages. Results from this preliminary analysis can be considered in the next run, for new courses or even to support policies studies.

Developing the skills of frontline integrated care practitioners in enabling self-care in Manchester – working towards a whole system approach

Presenter: Janet Mantle, Manchester City Council

Other author(s): None

Abstract Text:

Design

The City of Manchester has 3 CCGs working on the integration of health and social care under the citywide strategic plan ‘Living Longer, Living Better’. This pilot self care programme was initially developed with North Manchester CCG.

A self care work stream was developed, led by Public Health Manchester, which engaged clinicians, managers and health improvement specialists in programme design. The Manchester health and Wellbeing service was commissioned to develop a training programme and peer support.

Setting

Primary and community care.

Participants

Frontline community practitioners: GPs; social workers; community nurses (DNs, Active case managers, practice nurses); practice managers

Results

Over 300 staff has been trained since October 2013 and 80 staff has participated in focus groups to build on learning.

Practitioners report:

• Improved understanding of enabling self care
• Development of communication skills
• Improved access to tools and approaches to self care
• Ability to offer tailored advice for lifestyle change and improvements in patient mental wellbeing

Conclusions

The programme has demonstrated value in improving patient experience and practitioner effectiveness.

The enabling self care programme has been adopted as a core work-stream and a whole system objective of the Living Longer, Living Better programme for Manchester.