Rethinking health policy student practicums through the application of the multiple streams framework: A case study

Area of Science:

• Health Policy and Management
• Public Health Education
• Policy Analysis

Background:

• University programs often include co-op placements or practicums for practical experience.
• These experiences frequently lack grounding in the theoretical frameworks taught in academic programs.
• Existing practicums often focus on general skills like task performance or leadership rather than specific theories.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the redesign of a Health Policy and Management student's practicum.
• To demonstrate grounding a practicum in Kingdon's Multiple Stream Policy Framework.
• To enhance mentorship and learning through theoretical application in a real-world health policy context.

Main Methods:

• A case study approach was employed.
• A student from the University of Toronto's Health Policy and Management program collaborated with an Ontario Ministry of Health executive.
• The student's practicum was redesigned to incorporate Kingdon's Multiple Stream Policy Framework, focusing on hospital capacity policy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Results:

• The theoretical framework enhanced weekly mentorship discussions.
• Learnings related to the Ministry's hospital capacity policy were organized through the framework's five streams.
• The study demonstrated a practical application of policy theory to a complex public health issue.

Conclusions:

• Grounding practicums in established policy frameworks like Kingdon's Multiple Stream Policy Framework can significantly enhance student learning and practical application.
• This approach bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world policy challenges.
• The redesigned practicum provided a structured method for analyzing and understanding policy development during a crisis.