Sunnybrook celebrates teaching and learning

October 13 to 16, 2015 was Education Week at Sunnybrook. We welcomed colleagues and peers from health care and educational institutions from across the GTA.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015: Learner Day

We celebrated the 4,000-plus learners from over 25 health disciplines that join the Sunnybrook community for their education each year. This day, we were joined by 151 learners and acknowledged them to a well-deserved networking lunch and team-building activity.

With us, we had Dr. Susan Edwards, Director, Office of Student Wellness, University of Toronto, to deliver her presentation on “Lessons Learned from a Career in Resident Wellness.”

Wednesday, October 14, 2015: Teacher Appreciation Day

We honoured the educators of Sunnybrook at our Teacher Appreciation Day. Staff, students and patients were invited to send an “e-apple of thanks” to those who have been instrumental in their learning and in the education of others here at Sunnybrook. In total, we had 835 e-cards distributed.

Thursday, October 15, 2015: Patient & Family Education Day

About 60% of Canadian over the age of 16 have low health literacy; they struggle to understand health information. We invited health care providers, educators and leaders to join us to hear Lindsay Wizowski, Patient Education Specialist with Hamilton Health Sciences deliver her interactive talk titled: “Teach Back: Making Education Stick.”

We had 71 attendees join us and were provided the opportunity to view education materials and podium presentations led by leaders from the different centres throughout Sunnybrook, including PEARL, Veterans, CRIB, Holland and a patient presentation from Thompson Anxiety Disorders.

Friday, October 16, 2015: 4th Annual Sunnybrook Education Conference: Innovation in Teaching & Learning

This year’s conference focused on innovation, from simulation to learning management systems and student wellness. Designed for the GTA health care community and external partners in education to:

· Develop and broaden the scope of education through immersive experiential learning opportunities;

· Discover innovation in teaching and learning for patients, families, students, and health care providers;

· Examine new technologies and models for advancements in education, and

· Foster collaboration with colleagues, experts and educators in health-care.

We had a broad range of speakers, innovative research presentations, posters and high-impact and interactive workshops.

Joining us were 203 in attendance who were provided the opportunity to hear our opening keynote address delivered by Dr. Roberta Bondar.

In the afternoon, attendees were invited to view a debate between Drs. Viren Naik, Vice President, Education, The Ottawa Hospital and Ryan Brydges, Assistant Professor & Scientist, Department of Medicine & The Wilson Centre, where they discussed their views on “Simulation Should Be a Mandatory Component of Assessment in Healthcare Professional Education.”

Of those in attendance, we received an overwhelming 93% who found the conference was excellent and well organized.

Congratulations to Education Research Award winners at this year's conference:

Best Podium Presentation: 
“Assessment & Implementation of a Simulated ‘Entrustable Professional Act’ in Orthopaedic Surgery – A Pilot Study"

Marissa Elizabeth Bonyun
Markku Naousianinen
Tim Dwyer
Doug Archibald
Peter Ferguson
UTCBC Research Group
Veronica Wadey

Best Poster Presentation: “How One Individual, You, Can Improve Communication on AD HOC Teams Anywhere”

Irene McGhee
Jordan Tarshis
Susan DeSousa

Learn more about the conference at sunnybrook.ca/educationconference