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Research Project (SPHA 590)

An exciting core component of the program is a capstone, in-depth research project. MHA students have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a faculty supervisor to explore and report on a health administration issue of interest to them. 

Topics can be drawn from the MHA program or students’ own professional experience. Students often choose to focus on professional practice related issues in health care administration. 

A few past projects are profiled below, and other completed MHA research projects include:

  • Organizational Culture and Quality Improvement in Heart Health
  • Fee-for Service and Alternate Payment Plan Models in Fraser Health Authority
    Urban Emergency Departments: An Environmental Scan
  • Giving the Community a Voice in Research: an Evaluation of International Public Engagement Methods for Biobanks
  • Improving the BC Quality Academy Professional 

Instructor Profile

Small Gestures Matter

Patient shadowing as a simple but effective tool to improve the patient experience

Acknowledging patient wait times, using visual aids to explain a test result, and other small gestures can have a big impact for patients visiting an emergency department.

Using ‘patient shadowing’, Sylvia’s project explored the patient experience at an emergency department, and how healthcare providers can be engaged while empowering patients.

 

Past students’ research projects

Raffick Bowen, Class of 2010

Associate Director of Clinical Chemistry and Immunology Laboratory, Stanford University
590 project:
Clinical Biochemistry (2013). Blood collection tube-related alterations in analyte concentrations in quality control material and serum specimens.

Supervisor: Dr Alan T. Remaley

Ali Boyle, Class of 2015

Registered Dietician, BC Childrens’ Hospital
590 project:
Exemplary Evaluations in a Multicultural World (2015). Mobile Learning in Evaluation for Senior Decision-makers: Evaluation of an Innovative Capacity-Building Initiative.

Supervisor: Dr. Chris Lovato

Allison Heath, Class of 2014

Policy Analyst, Research and Innovation, Health at Government of Alberta
590 project:
Journal of Public Health (2015) Healthcare avoidance by people who inject drugs in Bangkok, Thailand

Supervisor: Dr. Thomas Kerr

Suzanne Idle, Class of 2013

Executive Director (co)
Umbrella Multicultural Health Cooperative
590 project:
Project Title: Development of a program evaluation framework using indigenous methodologies for Tu ‘Wusht. 2004
Abstract:
The aim of this research is to explore how improving the appropriateness and effectiveness of research and evaluation with Indigenous Peoples can play a role in the Indigenous path to wellness. This paper addresses this issue by sharing an understanding of the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and British Columbia in terms of colonisation, research and evaluation. This includes a literature review of these subjects, and a discussion on their effects on the current health status of Indigenous Peoples. This paper next considers an Indigenous worldview, and how it applies to the research and evaluation setting. Indigenous research and evaluation require a unique approach and specific considerations in research and evaluation design, distinct from a Western approach. Possible useful evaluation frameworks in an Indigenous context include developmental evaluation, empowerment evaluation and the American Indian Higher Education Consortium Indigenous evaluation framework. However, these approaches must privilege an Indigenous worldview and Indigenous methods of data collection. This paper offers an evaluation case study with an Indigenous community program as an example of implementing this work. It also offers lessons and insights on ways to carry out this work in an even better way, in a way that will support Indigenous self-determination.

Supervisor: Dr. Chris Lovato

Clifford Lo, Class of 2013

Provincial Pharmacy Lead, Special Projects and Initiatives at British Columbia Provincial Renal Agency
590 project:
Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy (2014). Decentralized Automated Dispensing Devices: Systematic Review of Clinical and Economic Impacts in Hospitals.

Supervisor: Dr. Nick Bansback

Read more about Clifford Lo’s project