IADR Abstract Archives
Global Senior Dental Leaders: Qualitative Evaluation of a 10-year Programme
Objectives: To investigate the vision, influence and impact of the Global Senior Dental Leaders [SDL] Programme.
Methods: Purposive sampling of stakeholders involved in developing, sponsoring and shaping SDL, together with selected participants, to provide representation in relation to age, gender and geographic region from the annual week-long programme over its 10-year history. Invitations, accompanied by an information sheet and consent form, were sent by letter and email. In-depth interviews, lasting approximately one hour and informed by a topic guide were conducted by one interviewer (JEG). Interviews were recorded, transcribed and prepared for analysis. Data were analysed using Framework, a matrix-based system for qualitative analysis, against Kirkpatrick levels of evaluation.
Results: Twenty interviewees comprising leaders, sponsors and participants participated in interviews. The vision for establishing the SDL programme, focused on tackling childhood caries, expanding to include addressing global health and inequity. Involvement by delegates was stimulated by multiple influences including awareness of personal needs, positional status and a desire to achieve change. Aspirations included learning, sharing, interacting, listening, thinking, and equipping; together with achieving a global voice and participating in global action. Reaction to the programme was positive. Delegates perceived, and were perceived as, learning about real needs, building friendships and confidence, orientating to a health focus, changing behaviours and developing a personal plan of action. The impact was described in relation to individual (shaping vision, personal management, increased confidence and action on health initiatives), organisational (teambuilding, innovative community programmes, investment in health) and systems change (developing the workforce). All with a view to addressing oral and dental disease nationally and globally, desiring to operate as an effective network.
Conclusions: The programme has contributed to the development of leaders who are effecting and desire to effect global change.
Acknowledgements. The Global SDL Programme is supported by Colgate and Henry Schein and jointly run by King’s College London Dental Institute and Harvard School of Dental Medicine under the leadership of Professor Raman Bedi.
Methods: Purposive sampling of stakeholders involved in developing, sponsoring and shaping SDL, together with selected participants, to provide representation in relation to age, gender and geographic region from the annual week-long programme over its 10-year history. Invitations, accompanied by an information sheet and consent form, were sent by letter and email. In-depth interviews, lasting approximately one hour and informed by a topic guide were conducted by one interviewer (JEG). Interviews were recorded, transcribed and prepared for analysis. Data were analysed using Framework, a matrix-based system for qualitative analysis, against Kirkpatrick levels of evaluation.
Results: Twenty interviewees comprising leaders, sponsors and participants participated in interviews. The vision for establishing the SDL programme, focused on tackling childhood caries, expanding to include addressing global health and inequity. Involvement by delegates was stimulated by multiple influences including awareness of personal needs, positional status and a desire to achieve change. Aspirations included learning, sharing, interacting, listening, thinking, and equipping; together with achieving a global voice and participating in global action. Reaction to the programme was positive. Delegates perceived, and were perceived as, learning about real needs, building friendships and confidence, orientating to a health focus, changing behaviours and developing a personal plan of action. The impact was described in relation to individual (shaping vision, personal management, increased confidence and action on health initiatives), organisational (teambuilding, innovative community programmes, investment in health) and systems change (developing the workforce). All with a view to addressing oral and dental disease nationally and globally, desiring to operate as an effective network.
Conclusions: The programme has contributed to the development of leaders who are effecting and desire to effect global change.
Acknowledgements. The Global SDL Programme is supported by Colgate and Henry Schein and jointly run by King’s College London Dental Institute and Harvard School of Dental Medicine under the leadership of Professor Raman Bedi.