An evaluation of the impact for healthcare professionals after a leadership innovation fellowship program.

BACKGROUND: Leadership among healthcare professionals is required to address important healthcare challenges. The TAHSNp Health Professions Innovation Fellowship program ("Program") supports health professionals' leadership development by offering them an opportunity to lead a quality improvement project and participate in a curriculum focused on leading change. OBJECTIVE: As part of an outcome evaluation of the program, our objective was to determine the program's impact on leadership activities and roles undertaken by alumni. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to participants who completed the program in 2019 and 2020 at 6 and 18 months post-program to assess their leadership activities, leadership roles and the program's impact. Prospectively, we conducted internal and LinkedIn searches to identify current roles and obtained personal statements from program alumni of medical imaging health professions as complementary data sources for our program evaluation. RESULTS: At 6 and 18 months post-program, 47% - 59% of alumni respondents reported participation in hospital/organization committees, mentoring fellows or students, and presenting scholarly work inside or outside their organizations (6 months: N = 25, response rate = 39.1%; 18 months: N = 17, response rate = 26.6%). Additionally, at 18 months post program, 35% - 41% of alumni reported leading a new quality improvement initiative, pursuing formal education, and having a new leadership role. Most alumni reported their leadership activities were influenced by the program, with the largest impact occurring after 18 months post-program for leading a new quality improvement initiative (100%), career plans for the next five years (94%), mentoring fellowship staff (91%), presenting at their healthcare organization (91%) and a new leadership role (90%). Alumni reported the program helped build their confidence, create networking opportunities, leadership skill-building and interest in pursuing other roles beyond their clinical role. More specifically, alumni reported that leadership skills gained from the program were used in subsequent roles and responsibilities. CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS: The program evaluation demonstrates engaged alumni who undertake informal and formal leadership activities and roles. Our results are illustrative of the value-add as a result of healthcare organizations' investment in developing leadership among healthcare professionals. As continued engagement and career development are known to be important for staff retention and succession planning strategies, our findings are highly relevant given the current staffing challenges in healthcare.

Building Capacity in Health Professionals to Conduct Quality Improvement: Evaluation From a Collaborative Interorganizational Program.

BACKGROUND: The Toronto Academic Health Sciences Network Health Professions Innovation Fellowship Program began in 2014 as a pilot initiative among 4 academic teaching hospitals in Toronto, Ontario. The purpose of the Program was to cultivate applied leadership, interprofessional collaboration, and quality improvement capacity among health professionals. PURPOSE: This article reports on the evaluation findings from the initial year as well as an update on current program status and sustainability. METHODS: A formative evaluation was conducted focused on the impact on clinical practice, participant skill development, participant experience, and cross-organizational partnerships. Data were collected through a focus group, interviews, and pre- and postsurveys. RESULTS: Data from the initial pilot showed increases in leadership practices, project management, and quality improvement knowledge, with changes in leadership practices being significant. Positive changes in clinical practice at both the individual and unit/team levels and capacity for building relationships were also reported. Since the pilot, more than 160 participants from 15 health professions and 9 organizations have participated. Several graduates have taken on leadership roles since their participation in the Program. CONCLUSIONS: Health care organizations wishing to advance academic practice may benefit from implementing a similar collaborative program to reap benefits beyond organizational silos.