Application FAQ
- What are SEARCH Canada’s responsibilities for SEARCH Classic?
- What are responsibilities of participants in SEARCH Classic?
- What commitments does an organization need to make?
- What are the benefits to an individual of participating in SEARCH?
- How can an organization maximize the value from SEARCH?
- What issues should an organization consider in recruiting and selecting a SEARCH participant?
What are SEARCH Canada’s responsibilities for SEARCH Classic?
SEARCH Canada commits to:
- Coordinating and funding course development and delivery
- Providing IT requirements to each organization and funds for each participant to purchase a laptop computer and equipment for continued use by the region
- Providing Desktop technical support and consultation during the program
- Buying three years of licensing of needed knowledge resources, database and electronic references
- Funding participants' travel and accommodation costs for attendance at training modules
- Providing comprehensive access to course materials on-line
- Facilitating and funding meetings of project teams
- Ensuring appropriate linkages with mentors, collaborators, and other SEARCHers
- Providing weekly information updates and news items for current and past participants
- Ensuring access to ethical review of projects through the Community Research Ethics Board of Alberta (CREBA)
- Funding travel and communication to finish and present SEARCH project results
What are responsibilities of participants in SEARCH Classic?
To get the most value from the program, participants are expected to:
- Have management support to spend at least 40% of their time on SEARCH learning and projects for two years
- In addition, they will attend one oriention session (2 days) and seven, 5-7 day residential training modules in various parts of Alberta
- Contribute to the learning environment through involvement and sharing of expertise
- Contribute to online discussion and team work
- Carry out at least one project determined by local needs
- Participate in at least one project involving a team from across health regions
- Report on and present results of projects
What commitments does an organization need to make?
There is no cash cost for participating in SEARCH. All costs, supplies (including computers) and external support are funded by SEARCH Canada. The commitment of an organization is the time and management support of the individual participant.
What are the benefits to an individual of participating in SEARCH?
SEARCH benefits extend beyond the formal two-year program. SEARCH has created an Alberta-wide virtual community of individuals who have key skills and expertise in applied health research. They continue to work in research, evaluation, outcome management, knowledge brokering and health services planning. Their focus is on priority regional health issues. SEARCHers continue to interact with each other, sharing knowledge on health issues that are common to a number of regions. Within the SEARCH network there is a strong commitment to working collaboratively, regardless of regional boundaries.
The SEARCH program has also been a catalyst for collaborative relationships between health care organizations and research institutions. There is now a vital exchange that links the needs of the health care delivery system and academic research agendas.
How can an organization maximize the value from SEARCH?
Through five years of evaluation and feedback, it has been identified that the key factors that enhance the benefits of the SEARCH program to an organization are:
- The participant's linkage with critical decision-making processes, whether at a program, department, or regional level
- Matching projects with job responsibilities
- Job design that ensures time for the training and projects.
What issues should an organization consider in recruiting and selecting a SEARCH participant?
- What are your organization’s highest priority outcomes from participation in SEARCH?
- Is there a fit between the individual's current and long term interests and the business priorities or strategic directions of your organization?
- What project themes and approaches will meet your organization's needs?
- Will the training and project work fit within the participant's current job design, or will changes need to be made to protect enough time?
- How will the products of participation in SEARCH be linked to the appropriate decision-making processes?
- Who in the organization will be responsible for ensuring the support of a SEARCH participant?