Atlantic Senior Fellows in Health Convening alongside the Rhodes Healthcare Forum

Atlantic Institute Atlantic Senior Fellows in Health Convening alongside the Rhodes Healthcare Forum 8 – 11 February 2019

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Introduction

This convening brought together 12 Atlantic Senior Fellows from 4 Atlantic Fellows programs which combined high-quality thematic content – (“From Surviving to Thriving”1) Rhodes Healthcare Forum (RHF) - with space for intentional connection and reflection.

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The RHF focused on marginalised populations that have traditionally faced significant barriers in accessing equitable healthcare, including First Nations people, people with disabilities and populations displaced by war and conflict. Speakers shared insights into the policy, technological solutions and working being done on the ground to address disparities in health outcomes for these communities.

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Atlantic Institute The objectives of the gathering were to: 

Connect with each other to strengthen the global community through a shared interest in universal healthcare and equity.

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Learn from and be inspired and challenged by colleagues and conference speakers on advances in health equity

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Individually and collectively share insights and learnings from conference including a focus on what fellows might explore further

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Explore next steps including the potential of shaping a nascent group of senior fellows interested in and working in healthcare endeavours

This read out provides a summary record of our conversations, with a particular focus on learnings relevant to the design of future gatherings.

The Atlantic Senior Fellows who attended this convening were:

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Atlantic Institute The annexes gather, for reference:  

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The Atlantic Senior Fellows Days convening agenda The Rhodes Healthcare Forum Agenda

Pre-Forum Atlantic Senior Fellows Day

On 8 February 2019, after welcoming the Fellows to Rhodes House and Oxford, and giving context of the Rhodes Scholarships and the history and purpose of the Rhodes Healthcare Forum, the Fellows spent time connecting with each other and discussing personal and professional goals of attending the Healthcare Forum – “From Surviving to Thriving”. Although diverse, strong themes emerged which included:       

An opportunity to learn and hear each other’s (Senior Fellows) personal narratives (who we are) Searching for inspiration to apply in own work Inclusive versus universal – leaving no one behind – access to healthcare from minorities and specific sectors Affordability of universal healthcare – the role of the private sector Mental healthcare Use of technology and data to drive change Indigenous healthcare

In addition, Senior Fellows discussed how the convening could be made more meaningful and identified the following commitments:      

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Being present and open to giving and receiving new ideas Being open to each other’s ideas and stories Bringing full selves into this community with intention, grace and love Being intentional both before and after and committing to action Utility for own work Recognising the organic nature of connections

Rhodes Healthcare Forum

On 9 and 10 February, the Senior Fellows attended the Rhodes Healthcare Forum alongside of the Rhodes community with a shared interest in health. The Forum welcomed 150 participants, which included Rhodes Scholars (alumni and in residence at Oxford University) from interdisciplinary, intergenerational and international contexts, seeking imaginative solutions to current healthcare challenges. The program aimed to foster robust debate and examined complex challenges with a focus on the provision of public health services for traditionally overlooked groups including the disabled, indigenous populations and individuals affected by conflict.

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Atlantic Institute

Atlantic Senior Fellows with Forum participants

Senior Fellows participated fully in the forum and two of the fellows were invited forum panellists: Dr Tharani Loganathan on the Overcoming Inequities in Low and Middle-income Countries panel and Professor Roxanne Bainbridge on the Indigenous Health in New Zealand, Australia and Canada panel.

Dr Tharani Loganathan (far left) - Medical Lecturer at the Department of Social and Preventative Medicine University of Malaya and Atlantic Senior Fellow for Health Equity in South East Asia

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Atlantic Institute Professor Roxanne Bainbridge (far left) – Director of the Centre for Indigenous Health Equity Research at Central Queensland University, Australia and Atlantic Senior Fellow for Social Equity

Several of the Senior Fellows volunteered as mentors for 1-2 forum participants, and several of them also engaged as mentees with other health leaders attending.

Mentee: Dr Elisa Resende – Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health

Mentor: Dr Tyler Spencer – Atlantic Senior Senior Fellows for Health Equity GWU Dr Kenneth Jones – Atlantic Senior Fellow for Health Equity GWU (insightful comment and question during forum)

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Atlantic Institute 3.

Post-forum Atlantic Senior Fellows Day

On 11 February, the Senior Fellows reconvened to reflect on learnings and next steps. Each fellow individually presented reflections with the following questions as a guide for their presentations:     

What were your most important learnings and why?

Biggest surprises or challenges and why?

What might you do differently in your work as a result?

What might you explore further?

What are your key reflections on the connections/relationships you have made?

The themes that were common across for all fellows included: 

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That in the main their goals for the RHF were met or exceeded with appreciation expressed at being able to hear from healthcare scholars and leaders from diverse contexts. In particular: o Mental healthcare  Huge gap in global care – opportunity to respond  Trauma – mental to physical health connection  Empowering community health workers versus specialists  Expanding resources  Normalising mental healthcare conversations in communities o Global healthcare – universality versus equity – access to healthcare from minority groups o Ethics and equity of technology and use of data o Public, private partnerships o Equity is related to power o Indigenous healthcare and othering Appreciation of diverse perspectives and the capacity for curiosity with like-minded people We are so different but so much the same We have similar challenges but the solutions are not the same – geography, power contexts Patience, one step at a time

Senior Fellows also discussed the possibility of forming an Affinity Group as an outcome of attending this forum together. Some felt that bringing together a group of Senior Fellows through a shared interest in a particular discipline area (in this case Healthcare) would not necessarily result in sufficient connection for on-going whole group work or project. We heard that the diversity of specific work areas and context meant that an affinity group would be an unnatural alliance without specific shared purpose or practical value-add.

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Atlantic Institute 4.

Senior Fellow feedback, learnings and next steps

Participants in this convening gave strongly positive responses with 100% satisfaction rating (agree or strongly agree) that the Atlantic Senior Fellow days were an outstanding use of time and that the opportunity to connect, learn and reflect added value to fellows attendance at the Rhodes Healthcare Forum.

“The whole event was an amazing experience to learn and share from Senior Rhodes Scholars and Atlantic Fellows. It was beautiful to experience how warm and open they are and all the knowledge they carry to inspire me.”

“Participating in this exchange in advance of other senior fellows from my program, who will be to Oxford for the first time this summer, really helped me better understand the goals and vision of just what the Fellows programs are trying to achieve.”

The majority of fellows strongly agreed (81.82%) that the connections made with other Senior Fellows would be of lasting value.

“Our narratives of inequities were very similar and it was empowering to see, learn and experience the different innovations that Senior Fellows were championing to make their countries better places to live and thrive for everyone. I see myself advancing these conversations and connections to impact my home country.”

As highlighted in the discussions on the final day with the Senior Fellows, some were unsure about the on-going connection between fellows due to the diverse backgrounds and contexts that each fellow works in – while showing confidence that they will find common themes to collaborate on.

“I loved meeting the other fellows and hope to work with them in the future. On what exactly, I'm not sure, but I think something organic will emerge in the coming months and/or years” “I guess time will tell. I am convinced the connections within my program will last, but I am not sure about the connections with people from other programs as there were no concrete plans to collaborate on something other than to stay in touch via social media.”

The two most preferred sessions of the Atlantic Fellows Days were:  

Getting to know the other Senior Fellows Sharing personal reflections after the Rhodes Healthcare Forum

Setting goals and reflecting on these goals helped to be more aware of what I learned and how to act on it

Senior Fellows also provided further invaluable feedback and suggestions for improvement we wish to this feedback as we continue to facilitate Senior Fellow Convenings around program/partner thematic conferences. Outlined in the table below are responses to common feedback themes.

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Atlantic Institute Comments for future events

Atlantic Institute responses

It would be great to involve the Senior Over time, we expect that Senior Fellows in developing and delivering Fellows will be more involved in the content for sessions. design and facilitation of Senior Fellow events. We also believe it is important for there to be a balance between being a participant (alongside of other Senior Fellows) and facilitation or holding space that is independent. That said, for the Haas Institute Othering and Belonging Conference, we are incorporating more Senior Fellow led and focused activities such as case clinics.

It would be great if the Atlantic Fellows could co-coordinate the event (e.g. the Rhodes/Atlantic Healthcare Forum)

We have passed this feedback onto Rhodes and again expect over time as the relationship deepens between Atlantic Senior Fellows and Rhodes Scholars (who host and organise the Healthcare Forum), there will be more opportunity for collaboration at such events.

Bringing together a group of Senior Fellows through a shared interest in a particular discipline area (in this case Healthcare) does not necessarily result in sufficient connection for ongoing whole group work or project

For the Haas Institute, Other and Belonging Conference, we are including activities that intentionally focus on building connection across areas that can transcend discipline and context – for example leadership.

In addition, fellows are being asked to connect with each other prior to the convening and to prepare insights on literature relevant to the conference theme. Our intention is to deepen connection through content in response to this feedback

Better lead in and preparation time for conference and logistics.

We have sent out the program and logistic details well in advance for the next program/partner thematic conference.

Consideration of stipend or per-diem for fellows attending conferences

Being explored by Operations Director at AI. 8

Atlantic Institute In addition to the responses highlighted in the table above, Atlantic Institute has also reflected on this convening and incorporated the following into future convenings:    

Work with Senior Fellows Peer Group from all Atlantic Programs to ensure that the process of selection of Fellows to attend thematic conferences is more transparent More in-depth preparation for the conference through the provision of readings and video links, and possibly video calls to start shaping community and objectives for attending Increasing the opportunity for fellows to share insights and learnings with each other as the prompt for deeper discussions Incorporating some relevant thematic content into the all fellows days to segue to the conference

"I left the Rhodes Healthcare Forum feeling even more invigorated and connected. The Forum’s session were all thought-provoking, and many aligned with my health equity interests in the development and implementation of technologies. For example, how are we considering the potential roles of data and privacy security breaches in increasing disparities when launching new technologies and apps? The warm welcome to the Rhodes community and meeting other Atlantic Fellows has already set the stage towards future collaborations."

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