Building a National FNHM Network

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Building a National FNHM Network

• Focus Group and Survey Findings

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• The potential for a national FNHM network or
  association was explored through the focus groups
  and survey.
• Focus group participants were asked
• How could a national network for FNHMs support
  you in your job?

3

• There was broad support for a national network or
  association to support FNHMs.
• A number of HMs emphasized that the network and
  its activities should be based at a regional
  level, because networking and idea-sharing is
  more pertinent and inclusive when conducted in
  smaller groups which reflect the local or
  regional First Nations context.
• One participant observed that, when its
  called national there is usually a huge dollar
  figure that really doesnt benefit or filter down
  to a community level.

4

• Regarding the new FNHM website, some (but not
  all)
• participants had seen it. Comments included
• the website is a beautiful thing
• I didnt know how to enter I didnt have a
  username or password
• Not all communities have the internet so
  newsletters are needed too.

5

• Some participants felt that annual national FNHMs
  conferences and forums would be useful to share
  ideas and learn from the collective experience.
• Some groups indicated that they felt the focus
  group process used for this study and the
  interaction with their peers was a form of
  support and a learning experience.

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Other ideas (in no particular order)

• Develop standards, ethical and best practice
  guidelines similar to a professional association
• Create a mentorship and job exchange process
• Develop a certification process for Health
  Director using developed curriculum and modules
• Create a network to support, share information,
  trouble-shoot and provide debriefing for Health
  Directors
• Play an advocacy role related to the health
  issues faced by First Nations, and to ensure
  adequate resources for Health Directors and for
  smaller communities
• Sponsor studies or research regarding Health
  Director salary grids (to help communities
  determine what to offer a new Health Director)
  staff retention (especially nurses) retention,
  turnover and attrition rates of Health Directors
  a clear description of the role of a Health
  Director and the expectations for delivery of
  services.

7

• On the survey, the question was posed like this
• What types of support or services should be
  provided by a national network for First Nation
  Health Managers/Directors? (Check all that apply)
• ? A forum to discuss challenges and share
  promising practices with colleagues
• ? Provide accessible information resources that
  are relevant to your job
• ? Identify, develop and provide
  training/professional development opportunities
• Other __________________________________

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Survey results

• A forum to discuss challenges and share 80
• promising practices with colleagues
• Provide accessible information resources 87
• that are relevant to your job
• Identify, develop and provide training/ 88
• professional development opportunities

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Other comments

• A framework where the network isnt dominated by
  strong, politically motivated southern concerns
• Relevant to similar sized communities with
  similar issues
• We have very little support at community or
  regional level
• create awareness so people know our
  circumstances
• Lobby for resources and funding for FN health
  issues
• Some central opportunities shared and
  experiential learning
• collaborative training programs with academic
  institutions
• opportunities to gather in person to talk,
  support, mentor
• have regional gatherings
• funding for training/education
• HR, recruitments and retention ideas
  employments opportunities
• Form an alliance to address systemic problems
  with FNIH and provincial government services
• Training for chief and council regarding the
  importance of FN health issues

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Summary

• There was strong support for a national FNHM
  support network.
• In terms of what the network could do, the three
  options suggested on the survey were all very
  popular.
• Findings suggest that there needs to be a
  balanced approach between regional and national
  concerns and activities. In other words,
  consideration is needed to ensure that local
  needs are met through peer and regional
  processes, while not precluding the concept of
  national conferences and/or forums.

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Small Groups Discussions

• Rank these bullets in priority, 1 being the top
  priority
• Create a network to support, share information,
  trouble-shoot and provide debriefing for FNHM
  with a communications strategy to share
  information on all health-related information,
  including programs, management, HHR, etc.
• Identify and provide training opportunities
• Create a mentorship and/or job exchange process
• Develop standards, ethical and best practices
  similar to a professional association.
• Develop a certification process for FNHM.
• Sponsor studies or research on salary grids,
  recruitment and retention, sample job
  descriptions, and other tools for FNHM.
• Play an advocacy role for health issues brought
  forward by FNHM, and to ensure adequate resources
  for FNHM.