Health and Learning|Santé

In From the Margins:

In From the Margins (Promo graphic)Forum Reflections Report

Promising Practices and Possibilities

The object of this forum was to bring together health care, literacy and early childhood professionals and others to identify issues and further develop promising practices and possibilities for health and learning.

 

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Characteristics of Promising Practices
for Health and Learning
  • Social determinants of health

One key characteristic is the importance of the social context in which health takes place. This includes the socio-economic conditions of people's lives. While providing clear information to individuals and acknowledging individual learning abilities with respect to health services is important, it is critical to address the larger social determinants of health.

  • An integrated understanding of health

Strategies and promising practices need to mirror people's understanding of their health as interconnected in terms of physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions.

  • Ethics of care

The importance of taking time to build relationships and trust between individuals and professionals, listening to concerns, and working in the spirit of inclusion and respect for people were emphasized in terms of an ethics of care. Taking the time to understand clients' needs and explain diagnoses were important. Sharing power, respect for culture, and respect for the knowledge that people bring to the context are critical.

  • Cross-sectoral collaboration

Organizations and sectors working together to improve access to services and the health of clients is key. This collaboration includes a case management approach and a referral process among different organizations. It also includes opportunities, such as this forum, for different sectors to come together to share knowledge and to plan action on a regular basis.

  • Contextualized, inclusive and community-based

Promising practices are tailored to particular communities and local situations. They are developed respecting particular contexts and experiences. If they are adapted for other contexts, the particular shape of these new contexts must be considered. The importance of community inclusion, leadership, and engagement are vital for any initiatives in which communities will be the recipients or beneficiaries.

  • Capacity building and professional development

Promising practices build capacity for health service providers and for individuals who access health services. This requires support for providers in terms of professional development, and for individuals in terms of being empowered. There must also be sustainable resources built into the system.

  • The importance of research and evaluation

The importance of a rigorous research and evaluation component of promising practices is important for understanding what works, what progress is being made, and the impact of these interventions. Similarly, consultations with stakeholders and evaluation of needs are also essential. Research and evaluation can build knowledge and capacity for the future.

Promising practices collected from forum participants can be found in the accompanying document In From the Margins: Promising Practices and Possibilities for Health and Learning.

 

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 Health and Learning Knowledge Centre, HLKC, literacy, national network, forum, promising practices, possibilities, Vancouver, British Columbia, social determinants, the Adult Working Group (AWG), the Early Childhood Working Group (ECWG), Capacity Building in Health Literacy for Health Professionals group (CBHLHP) Le Centre du savoir sur la santé et l'apprentissage, la littératie, un réseau national, Aperçu des groupes de travail, CSSA , forum, Vancouver, rapport, Columbie-Britannique, le Groupe de travail sur la population adulte, le Groupe de travail sur les jeunes enfants, Groupe de travail sur le renforcement des capacités des ressources humaines en santé à l'égard de la littératie en santé Health and Learning Knowledge Centre, HLKC, literacy, national network, forum, promising practices, possibilities, Vancouver, British Columbia, social determinants, the Adult Working Group (AWG), the Early Childhood Working Group (ECWG), Capacity Building in Health Literacy for Health Professionals group (CBHLHP) Le Centre du savoir sur la santé et l'apprentissage, la littératie, un réseau national, Aperçu des groupes de travail, CSSA , forum, Vancouver, rapport, Columbie-Britannique, le Groupe de travail sur la population adulte, le Groupe de travail sur les jeunes enfants, Groupe de travail sur le renforcement des capacités des ressources humaines en santé à l'égard de la littératie en santé In From the Margins: Forum Reflections Report, In From the Margins: Promising Practices and Possibilities. Social determinants of health and the barriers and gaps that often affect them are common fodder for discussion with three of the Health and Learning Knowledge Centre's working groups. Rapport sur les conclusions du forum In From the Margins In From the Margins: Promising Practices and Possibilities for Health and Learning. Les déterminants sociaux de la santé, de même que les obstacles et les lacunes qui exercent souvent une influence sur ceux-ci, n'ont pas manqué d'alimenter les discussions entre trois des groupes de travail du Centre du savoir sur la santé et l'apprentissage.