Funding Awarded for Innovative Medical Director Program

<< BACK   |   Download Word File

Vancouver, September 2003— The Centre for Aging and Health and Change Initiatives have received funding to start Canada's first-ever leadership program for Medical Directors in long-term care.

Medical Directors are physician leaders who have administrative and clinical responsibilities. They are expected to be knowledgeable in many areas such as infection control, medical staff management, conflict resolution, residents, staff and families and managing quality of care. At the same time there is no orientation or training provided when they take on their role.

“This is an example the system has tremendous expectations of health professionals, without providing the resources required to support them,” says Taj Bhaloo, leader of the Centre for Aging and Health. “We want to develop a leadership program that will provide Medical Directors with the skills and tools they need to be successful.”

The proposed pilot program, which is open to all Medical Directors across the province, will better equip them to deal with day-to-day challenges. Potential topics include: risk management, policy overviews, family/resident conflict management and resolution, ethical decision-making, teamwork, and financial budgets and resource allocation.

Currently there is no program of this type available any where in Canada. It was Dr. Akber Mithani, VP of Medical Affairs, who first realized the need for a program. Bhaloo saw the prospect of funding through Vancouver Coastal Health's Innovation Fund program and brought in Change Initiatives, which has extensive experience in leadership development.

The Innovation Fund is a recent initiative by VCH that advances funding for proposals that would improve the efficiency of existing programs. Over 125 applications were received after just two weeks following the announcement. Two proposals from PHC were accepted for advanced funding (Pharmacy leader Robin Ensom's proposal, which also received funding, will be featured in an upcoming d'Vine issue).

Bhaloo is looking to partner with universities and physicians' organizations to give the course academic and professional integrity.

“Having the support of these organizations will help establishing the credibility of the program and ensure its success,” says Bhaloo. “To ensure this program is relevant and practical, we will ask potential participants to provide their input on the course content and logistics,” says Bhaloo.

The program is expected to launch next fall and it is anticipated that Medical Directors in BC will have this certification in two years.