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SEARCH Classic

Swift Efficient Application of Research in Community Health

Project Description

The SEARCH Classic Program is a two year health research and professional development program for community-based health professionals in Alberta.

The SEARCH Program provides education, training, mentoring and research collaboration through a virtual learning community of managers and health professionals in partnership with university-based researchers and teachers.

The fifth iteration of the program is currently underway with 28 participants selected from Alberta's health authorities and physician groups. Throughout the current two-year cycle, participants will engage in residential face-to-face instruction, online learnings between modules and project work within their current work sites. The intended outcome is a network of individuals around the province who are well placed to ensure that health research is relevant and rigorously conducted.

SEARCH Classic is governed, supported, and funded by member organizations that include the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, Alberta's health regions, and the University of Calgary. Support is also provided from Alberta Health and Wellness through the Health Research Collaboration.

CHE's Role

CHE built the capacity to create and sustain the information and on-line educational resources required to design, deliver, monitor, and evaluate the SEARCH virtual learning community. CHE is working with SEARCH faculty and staff members to provide the learning technologies and processes in support of the SEARCH curriculum, mentoring process, and research collaboration.

CHE developed capabilities in new technologies, including the following:

  • wireless networks
  • streaming video
  • synchronized presentation slides with audio

These capabilities increased the range of possible residential module locations by allowing them to take place anywhere there is a single high-speed Internet connection, instead of being restricted to college and university computer labs. Other technologies have allowed us to improve remote access to presentation material.

CHE also developed interactive, online project collaboration and reporting tools to help participants track the steps within their research, while at the same time allowing faculty and others access to the work to ensure proper protocols and processes are being implemented.

The SEARCH program will continue to evolve, and CHE will continue to respond to the needs of the users by developing activities and sessions that reinforce concepts learned.

Partners