This presentation was given by ADM Alison Bond at a Public Participation Symposium hosted by the BC Chapter of IAP2.

1. IAP2 – BC Chapter
BC Conversation on Health
Engagement for Large Scale Public
Consultation

2. Overview
• Purpose and objectives of the Conversation on
Health
• Tools for large scale consultation
• Reporting out
• Results
April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 2

3. Purpose and Objectives
• Fully engage British Columbians
• Increase awareness of health challenges
• Create a foundation of ideas for improving the public
health system
April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 3

4. Tools for large scale public consultation
Principles: Approach:
• Openness • Mix of tools: conversation
• Transparency through a variety of media
• Inclusiveness • Ensure fairness in terms of
• Curiosity accessibility
• Innovation • Understand limitations (in
terms of statistics)
• Focus
• Seek input (vs. identifying
• Accountability issues)
April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 4

5. Tools (2)
Formats Audience:
• Electronic • Public
• Small group • Health Professionals
• Large group • Academics
• Written • Advocates
• Unions
• Government
• International
April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 5

6. Tools (3)
As many tools as possible to reach British Columbians:
– Toll free 1-800 line
– Correspondence, web submissions and e-mail
– Web dialogue for online debate on specific issues
– 16 regional public forums
– Patient focus groups in all 16 locations
– 4 Aboriginal community engagement meetings
– 2 youth engagement sessions
– Community sponsored meetings
– Website provides information and updates
April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 6

7. Tools (4) - Online Dialogue
April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 7

8. Tools (5) - Web Polls
April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 8

9. Tools (6) – Video Q and A

10. Tools (7) - Public Consultation Sessions
April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 10

12. April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 12

13. April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 13

14. April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 14

15. April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 15

16. Reporting Out (1)
Ongoing reporting:
All notes from sessions transcribed and posted
without editing to the website
Weekly reports summarize what we heard
Monthly electronic updates to distribution list
April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 16

17. Reporting Out (1) - During the Process

18. Reporting Out (2) - Session Reports

19. Reporting Out (3) – 52 Weekly Reports
April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 19

20. Reporting Out (5) - Final Report

21. Results (1) - Engagement
As of the conclusion of the project:
More than 6,600 registered for forums
More than 12,000 contributions through web,
correspondence, e-mail and phone
76 Electronic written submissions
April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 21

22. Results (2) - Engagement (cont’d)
More than 3,600 individuals participants in forums, meetings, focus
groups
Sixteen public, health professional and patient forums
Sixteen health professional focus groups
Two youth engagement sessions
International Symposium on Health Innovation
Four focused workshops
Health Authority Board workshop
Four Aboriginal community forums: Little Shuswap, Cowichan,
Gitxsan and Seabird Island
All evaluations excellent
April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 22

23. Results (3) - Increase Awareness
More than 220,000 web visits and almost 6 million web hits:
Website includes many pages of information about health and health
care, and links to other sites
Householder to 1.3 million households
Advertising campaign at launch included tv, radio and newspaper ads.
Further newspaper ad campaign around forums.
Distribution of Conversation Starters to all forum participants and posting
on web
Web dialogue and online polls engaged public in specific questions about
health
April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 23

24. Results (4) - Create a Foundation for Ideas
52 Weekly reports summarized input
Summary of all input organized into thematic chapters
due in the Fall
Focused workshops and International Symposium
demonstrated value of ideas
April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 24

25. Conclusion
• Transparency is key
• Value of reporting out immediately through the web
• Need to combine online and public sessions
April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 25

26. For More Information
To learn more or read the reports, go to:
www.bcconversationonhealth.gov.bc.ca
April 24, 2009 IAP2 – BC Chapter Slide 26