About EXTRA
Overview and Benefits
As one of the Foundation's flagship programs, the Executive Training for Research Application (EXTRA) program develops capacity and leadership to optimize the use of research evidence in managing Canadian healthcare organizations.
EXTRA gives health system managers across Canada the skills to better use research in their daily work, as a way to increase evidence-informed decision-making in the health system.
The EXTRA program targets health service professionals in senior management positions - nurse executives, physician executives, and other health administration executives.
Since 2004 and until 2014, up to 24 fellows are accepted annually in the two-year EXTRA training program. Spread over four away-from-home residency sessions which incorporate six curriculum modules, the fellowship experience offers:
- knowledge of research evidence (its existence, location, and relevance/application);
- the capacity to draw on "system thinking;"
- development of collaborative professional relationships; and
- the ability to introduce and manage evidence-informed change.
The EXTRA call for fellowship applications is launched in October and the competition closes on March 1 every year. All applicants must adhere to the Foundation's conflict of interest policy.
Program Benefits
EXTRA is designed to have short-term and long-term impacts at three levels: on the fellows themselves, on their organizations, and on the overall healthcare system.
Professional Development
- Gain the skills to find, assess, and apply research to become more effective at evidence-informed decision-making - knowledge and skills that will serve you throughout your career.
- Use research, data, and information with greater confidence.
- Collaborate with colleagues from across the country and across disciplines to acquire skills in evidence-informed decision-making in the management of health systems, learning from diverse healthcare settings.
- Gain exposure to the forefront of today's healthcare management issues and gain comparative and international perspectives with access to top-flight faculty, recognized experts, and guest lecturers from Canada and abroad.
- Play a leadership role in your organization and help create an evidence-informed decision-making culture.
- Communicate and teach the skills needed for improved use of research in the management of healthcare organizations.
- Develop collaborative working relationships that go beyond the formal EXTRA program and take part in an emerging community of practice.
- Earn a program diploma conferred by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), the Canadian College of Health Service Executives (CCHSE), the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation, and the Agence d'évaluation des technologies et des modes d'intervention en santé (AETMIS); qualify for a CCHSE fellowship designation and CCHSE Maintenance of Certification Level 1 credits; and accrue continuing medical education credits through EXTRA. Additional credentials, including university credits toward graduate degrees, are under consideration.
Organizational Performance
- Benefit your organization with use of research to improve healthcare delivery, innovation, and cost-effectiveness.
- Create a culture of evidence-informed decision-making; share your new skills with colleagues and accelerate change in the organizational culture.
- Bring new ideas and knowledge into your organization through interaction with peers from diverse healthcare settings and disciplines.
- Assess your organizational performance and benchmark against best practices of other organizations and regions across the country.
Health System Benefits
- Improve the overall quality and effectiveness of the Canadian healthcare system through better decisions, supported by evidence from research.
