C4 - Delivering a universal parenting program using physician versus self-referral: A comparison of two virtual groups and lessons learned

4. Mental health and addictions

  • Date: 2022-10-12
  • Concurrent Session: Concurrent Session C
  • Time: 2:45- 3:30 pm
  • Room:
  • Style: Presentation (information provided to audience, with opportunity for audience to ask question)
  • Focus: Practical (e.g. Presentation on how to implement programs and/or practices in the team environment)
  • Target Audience: Leadership (ED, clinical lead, board chair, board member, etc.)

Learning Objectives:

  • To learn about a 7-week parenting workshop that can be implemented in a Family Health Team setting
  • To learn about our experiences with different types of recruitment and to reflect on which one might work best for attendees in their respective settings
  • To learn about how the workshop can be adapted for a small group versus a large group and to consider the pros and cons of each approach
     

Summary/Abstract:

A 7-week parenting workshop, based on the popular book, How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk, was initially offered to physicians and staff of the St. Michael’s Hospital Academic Family Health Team (SMH AFHT) to “workshop the workshop” and to increase capacity within the SMH AFHT for delivering parenting skills to patients. These sessions were recorded for training purposes and further capacity building. The workshop follows the book, and focuses on the following skills: Help your child develop a realistic and positive self-image; Set limits while maintaining goodwill; Cope with your child's negative feelings; Express anger without hurting; Engage your child's willing cooperation; Resolve conflicts peacefully; and Create a family atmosphere of love and respect. The workshop was then delivered to parents in a small group format. We had 19 registered participants from physician referrals, with 6-9 regular attendees. The sessions were well received and we received positive feedback in the post-group evaluations. We had also opted to invite patients to the group via an email invitation and received over 200 self-referrals to the group, whom we wait-listed. We invited all of those patients to a group running in the Spring/Summer and required pre-registration and attendance to an information session. We have 57 registrants for the information session and will be delivering the workshop to a larger group that will be a subset of these registrants. We will present post-session evaluations as well as lessons learned in the process of running these two groups. 
 

Presenter

  • Juliana Tobon, Ph.D., C.Psych.    Psychologist, St. Michael's Hospital Academic Family Health Team
  • Nicole Champagne, BSW, MSW, RSW    Social Worker, St. Michael's Hospital Academic Family Health Team