| Project Objectives / Summary:
The initial proposal for this project was for a series of six Think Tanks related to the General Practice profession and divisional leadership within the population health domain. Think Tanks are characterised by the "depth" of their discussion, the intentional inclusion of constructive, creative thinking and resolution around an agreed set of outcomes, recommendations or actions.
Project Aims:
- To develop leadership and organisational capacity of Divisions to address population health through programs that support, develop and sustain General Practice.
- To design, implement and evaluate a series of 3 Think Tanks aimed at developing leadership roles and increasing the knowledge, skills and confidence of General Practitioners and Divisional staff within the Queensland Divisional Movement.
Project Collaboration:
QDGP in collaboration with Brisbane Inner South and Townsville Divisions of General Practice.
Project Outcomes:
The initial project proposal requested funding for six Think Tanks. Preliminary research based in divisional dialogues and conference workshops identified 6 key issues relating to population health for Divisions. These included:
- Population health methods and approaches
- International context for changing health policy
- Leadership strategies, culture change and advocacy frameworks
- Consumer consultation and the business of General Practice
- Future studies and scenario development
- Indigenous health
Following the revision of the project plan, it was agreed by all stakeholders that the focus of the three Think Tanks to be conducted would be:
- Corporate Governance and Leadership
- Population Health and General Practice Strategic Research
- Policy and Futures.
QDGP facilitated the establishment of three working parties to implement, monitor and evaluate the key program activities for each of the three topics areas identified for the Think Tanks. The project utilised an action research framework entailing ongoing analysis of participant interaction and feedback which led to the development of a series of resources, workshops and forums that supported skill development of GPs and Divisions staff by building capacity in each of the three topic areas identified.
Disseminating Project Information:
QDGP has utilised its usual networks to disseminate information and ensure the involvement of Queensland Divisions. This has included the following mechanisms:
- QDGP Update -Divisions kept informed of progress through quarterly electronic newsletter
- Quarterly QDGP Forums
- Emails/written correspondence to the Divisions Network as necessary
Lessons / Assessment:
QDGP highlights the following points of the key learning's from this project:
As part of the process to build capacity and leadership within General Practice and Divisions. The importance of collaboration across the Divisions Network was highlighted. The success of the project was founded upon the key involvement of GPs across Queensland and by fostering a sense of ownership from Divisions. A key success of this project was that it also built momentum for further collaboration.
There is a strong need to cultivate GP leadership through structured programs that reinforce learning, provide training and skill development and assist in the development of an understanding of the health care environment. This project supported the development of GP leadership through:
Identifying GPs to drive working parties,
Involving GPs in the planning and delivery of all the components (eg. all sessions involved and chaired by GPs)
Cultivating the role of GPs as innovators and opinion leaders through supporting processes
Supporting GPs to facilitate change at both the practice and Divisions level Change management strategies underpinned all aspects of the Think Tanks Project. That is, supporting and cultivating capacity and change in general practice.
The Think Tanks program provided the a unique opportunity for key stakeholders across the Division Network to "think outside the square" in areas such as governance, leadership, policy, innovation through a structured project that provided depth and structure around these issues. Strategies that were successful were reinforced learning, training, background and environment understanding.
Given the changing face of General Practice this project reinforced new and emerging roles for GPs, giving GPs the opportunity to develop new skills, including influencing and working with peers to provide leadership in General Practice
This project was unique in that it had three very separate components, all of which aimed to develop the capacity and leadership of General Practice and the Divisions network in Queensland. In the long term, facilitating this process will lead to the implementation of sustainable programs, which over the longer term will have a positive impact on General Practice and population health.
QDGP will continue to provide leadership and support to Divisions and GPs to develop skills and capacity around Governance, Leadership, Population Health and Policy Development. The lessons learnt will underpin future work of QDGP in these areas and assist in building a stronger Divisions network.
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