HIROC Knowledge Exchange @ Children’s Healthcare Canada Conference

Bringing people together, breaking down barriers

Team HIROC was energized by the 450+ delegates who were gathered together in Vancouver for the 2023 Children’s Healthcare Canada Conference.

This year’s theme, Flip the Script saw a variety of sessions all geared toward driving change to positively impact children’s health in Canada.

"Our conference saw a record number of child health and family leaders join us in Vancouver.” said Emily Gruenwoldt, President and CEO of Children’s Healthcare Canada. “It was a meaningful and timely opportunity to convene, as together we work towards our shared vision for right-sized health systems serving Canada’s Kids.”

Wherever we went throughout the conference, whether the main hall where all the keynotes took place, the breakout rooms, in the hallways, and especially at the HIROC Knowledge Exchange space – we were overcome with a sense of inspiration and optimism.

“I can’t remember a time where we’ve all been more organized, ready to make change happen,” said Dr. Javed Alloo, at the closing keynote.

And that’s exactly what we at HIROC were aiming to tap into, that sense of a “shared movement” as Dr. Javed described.

Thank you delegates for the over 100+ ideas.

At HIROC, sharing knowledge is a critical component of the essence of the Reciprocal model.

“It’s all about sharing knowledge, taking those lessons learned and then seeing another organization or team, at the other side of the country, scale successful initiatives, it’s phenomenal to see,” added HIROC CEO, Catherine Gaulton.

It was fantastic seeing delegates stop by and chat with us, share their ideas, thoughts and even pose questions for the community, but it was even more rewarding seeing people snapping pictures to take back to their organizations and teams to spark a conversation about how they can further make an impact, that’s exactly what we set out to achieve – collaboration in action!

The HIROC Knowledge Exchange posed 10 questions to the community.

Here’s some highlights:

• Great to see and learn about programs that help in navigating the patient journey – health and social services, system education
   
• Primary prevention and in talking about emotional literacy
   
• Creation of guidelines for newborn care with patient values and preferences
   
• Value parents as members of your care team
   
• Create a Patient Experience Program to provide in the moment support
   
• Current challenges: Failure to understand what strategies and tools frontline staff need to implement innovations
   
• On ensuring equitable access: Pathways to Support rural patients from physicians to paediatrics, the “Charlie Program” which supports many first nations communities. Have a mobile outreach program, that partners with the education portfolio – go where the kids are
   
• Supporting mental health: Parents also need mental and emotional care, to ensure care continues within the home. Develop guidelines for supporting youth engagement, who can then assist in creating mental health programs that work for them

A big THANK YOU to the team at Children’s Healthcare Canada for hosting the community – we valued our time together.

By Marc Aiello, Communications & Marketing Specialist, HIROC