Leadership

Executive Training for Research Application (EXTRA)

Leanne Smith

EXTRA Fellow, 2007: Leanne Smith, RN, BSN

Current position: Manager of Nursing, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Saskatoon Health Region

Current job role:

As the manager for a nine-bed pediatric intensive care unit, including the pediatric transport team, my responsibilities include all areas of operational management. I am also responsible for the pediatric outpatient department, which includes the general pediatrics, cardiology, cystic fibrosis, gastrointestinal and respiratory clinics and a pediatric pulmonary function laboratory.

Intervention project: Patients and Families: Partners in Transforming a Health-care System

The Government of Saskatchewan has dedicated funds to the planning of a new Maternal and Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon. Input from patients and their families is essential to the planning process. The intervention project’s goal is to get meaningful input into and participation in the planning process by patients and their families.

To do this, a patient and family advisory group (three staff and three family members) was formed to develop the mission, values and draft terms of reference and a recruitment strategy for a more permanent advisory council. The six members were later surveyed about their experience in the group. Although the results were very positive, some members indicated that there had been initial reluctance to voice opposing opinions. The members attributed this to the newness of the group.

In November, the Maternal and Children’s Patient and Family Advisory Council met for the first time. The council now consists of a total of eight patient and family members, one physician representative, two staff liaisons and the Director of Maternal and Children’s Services. Although it is too early to tell if the council will have a significant lasting impact on the hospital’s services, the desire to effect change is very strong among the council members.

EXTRA benefits:

EXTRA has given me the opportunity to do something that I was passionate about and that would not have been part of my regular work. In addition, I now make better decisions because I am able to use research results and the literature more effectively. My involvement in the EXTRA program has given me the opportunity to connect and network with people within my organization with whom I normally would not have worked.

Most significant skills acquired through EXTRA:

I have learned a great deal through the EXTRA program. I have learned how to access and critically appraise research. The EXTRA residency sessions allowed me to learn about leadership and change management skills. My greatest learning comes from the opportunity to network with health-care leaders from across the country.