CAMH Health Promotion in Clinical Settings Project

The medical model, which focuses on treatment, is dominant within clinical settings; however, there are also opportunities to promote the health and well-being of all clients along the continuum of wellness through application of health promotion principles. Principles for health promotion based on the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (WHO, 1986) include creating supportive environments, building healthy public policy, strengthening community action, addressing the determinants of health, considering the social, cultural and political environments within peoples individuals lives, building capacity, empowerment and respect. Integrating such principles into clinical hospital settings will help to reorient health services.

This project began to support implementation of the strategic direction - To Enhance Health Promotion and Prevention. The project was initiated by the Policy, Education and Health Promotion (PEHP) in order to respond to recommendations from the strategic direction task force and inventory of health promotion regarding the need for staff education / awareness / training and support specifically within the clinical programs. Major milestones of the project to date include:

Interviews were held with Clinical Management Teams and a work plan developed.
With assistance from Suzanne Jackson, Director - Centre for Health Promotion, an evaluation framework was developed.
A baseline survey was conducted to assess current knowledge and application of health promotion concepts among management staff.
Projects have been initiated throughout the clinical programs including training events, development of health information resources, and awareness campaigns. Other projects and training opportunities are still evolving. Consultation on health promotion related processes have also been provided throughout the clinical programs.
Indicators for health promotion in clinical settings are currently being explored based work done to date and knowledge gained.

As the overall Health Promotion in Clinical Settings Project evolves more updates will be communicated via this section of the CAMH website.