Aim

The overall aim of the Sheffield Microsystem Coaching Academy (MCA) is to improve quality, safety and value within the Sheffield health care system through coaching interdisciplinary professional groups to be able to provide exceptional care and continuously improve efficiency and effectiveness. The Sheffield MCA is supported in this aim by the Health Foundation's Shared Purpose Programme.

Coach the coach training

Each cohort of MCA coaches consists of 25 - 30 colleagues from across Sheffield's healthcare system and beyond. The course is based upon a programme adapted from the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice in the USA. The Dartmouth team have been researching, coaching and leading clinical microsystem development since the early 1980s. They teach the Microsystem Academy’s eCoach the coach (eCTC) programme which offers an innovative and rigorous action learning curriculum in the art and science of coaching interdisciplinary microsystem groups. The Sheffield MCA is based on this eCTC programme translated for the local context.

Programme

The duration of the course is six months. During this time each participant will work with a microsystem multidisciplinary team who must be willing and able to engage in regular quality improvement work.

Participants are asked to identify a microsystem for coaching by the start of the course. Throughout the course you will receive training and support which will enable you to effectively coach a multidisciplinary team. You will then work with a microsystem and engage in weekly quality improvement work, learning how to coach and develop skills within that team so they are equipped to recognise and implement change successfully and sustainably in the future.

Read more about the programme here.

It is a fantastic course.  Whilst it is challenging at times, it is one of the most rewarding things I have done.  It has shaped how I see change in the NHS and how leadership needs to be more about building capability 

 

Time commitment

Please note that participation in all sessions is mandatory, so please ensure you are able to attend all of the dates before applying for the course. Submission of all assignments is required for completion of the course.

Applicants should be aware that before each session there is a significant amount of material to read to get the most out of the course.

In addition to the convened programme you will also need to set aside time on a weekly basis to prepare for and coach your microsystem, on average 2 - 6 hours a week. There will also be a requirement for you to prepare and submit short monthly reports between each session on your development as a coach and the progress of your microsystem. We therefore advise that you will need your line manager to support you taking between 5 - 8 hours a week for the duration of the six month course. The coaching programme requires you to attend the course for six months and then you will be coaching a team (once a week) for at least 18 - 24 months after this. Time commitment for the 6 month course is broken down as follows

  • 7 course dates
  • 2 - 3 hours a week for reading, homework and assignments
  • 2 - 3 hours a week to prepare for and coach your microsystem.

Post-course commitment is as follows:

  • 1 - 3 hours a week to prepare for and coach your microsystem for 18 - 24 months.

It was life changing, and I mean at scale. Hundreds and hundreds of staff are benefiting from this - just translate that to the number of patients! Looking at STP - level rollout now.