Training activities for improved network services
"The goal of cross-training is not to equip staff members with the ability to execute the work of other professionals, but to create an environment of improved collaboration among these professionals that will help fill the void that exists in the needs and treatment of clients" (Simmonds, 2003).
Cross-training is an approach that is becoming more widely used to improve the functioning of services and resources. The goal of this program is for participants to gain a better understanding of the role of each partner resource to ensure optimal service continuity for their clientele.
Initiated by the Committee of Mental Health Partners of the South-West (called COPASM for Comité des partenaires en santé mentale du Sud-Ouest), the cross-training program is composed of two fundamental components:
- Exchange Sessions (Workshops)
During these exchange sessions, which typically last one day, participants from different resources are invited to examine real clinical cases and discuss the modalities to be set in place in order to provide optimal support for their clients. For each workshop group, a moderator oversees the group discussions while a reporter is given the task of noting the main points that emerge throughout the exchanges. Following the presentation of a synthesis of the discussions that took place in all of the groups, a panel of experts is called upon to react and interact with the audience. These exchange sessions allow participants to learn more about the various resources of the territory, enables them to create new contacts among these resources, and encourages them to share their newly-acquired knowledge with their respective teams.
- Personnel Exchanges The personnel exchanges consist of short half-day or day-long observational exchanges, where participants are given the opportunity to visit another resource (even if it is completely different from that of the participant) and become acquainted with the professionals working there as well as their methods of intervention and care.
For example, a nurse who is working in a psychiatric unit at the Douglas Institute can spend a day in a community resource such as L’Autre Maison, or in a drug addiction resource such as Centre Dollard-Cormier – Institut universitaire sur les dependences. This enables the professional to become better acquainted with the professionals working at that resource, gain specific information concerning their mandate, and become familiar with the methods of intervention used for their particular clientele. On the one hand, this program promotes networking and facilitates the referral of clients if the need should arise, and on the other hand, it enables professionals to understand the experience of a patient who may have been referred to them by this resource.
Cross-training program in the south-west of Montreal 2009-2012
This program involves the implementation and evaluation of cross-training experiences for professionals working with a clientele between 15 to 30 years of age and who are at risk of, or living with concomitant disorders in mental health and drug addiction.
These sessions may take the form of exchange sessions (workshops) that allow professionals from different backgrounds to come together and discuss real clinical cases.
What are the goals of this program?
- Identify the training needs of professionals working with youths who are at risk or living with concomitant disorders.
- Help professionals better understand the ways in which different resources work with their clients and provide care through the use of observational personnel exchanges and exchange sessions.
Research team
Michel Perreault, Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Douglas Institute
Tel. : 514-761-6131, ext. 2823
michel_dot_perreault_At_douglas_dot_mcgill_dot_ca
Anick Laverdure, Coordinator, Douglas Institute
Tel. : 514-761-6131, ext. 2835
anick_dot_laverdure_At_douglas_dot_mcgill_dot_ca
Diana Milton, Research assistant, Douglas Institute
Tel. : 514-761-6131, ext. 2829
diana_dot_milton_At_douglas_dot_mcgill_dot_ca
Nicole Perreault, Direction de santé publique de Montréal
Anne Wittevrongel, Douglas Institute
Partners
Centre Dollard-Cormier, Institut universitaire sur les dépendances
Centre Jeunesse de Montréal - Institut universitaire
Cran, Centre de recherche et d’aide pour narcomanes
CSSS Sud-Ouest–Verdun
Dianova Canada
Direction de santé publique de Montréal
Douglas Mental Health University Institute
L’Autre Maison, Centre d’intervention de crise du Sud-Ouest
Pavillon Foster, Addiction Rehabilitation Centre
Service de police de la ville de Montréal (SPVM)
