Learning from leaders: reflections on the value of being part of the Sciana Network

Sciana members from 2017 and 2018 reflect on the diversity that exists within the Sciana Network and the value of acquiring more knowledge from different sectors

Learning is imperative for any health care leader, whether that be learning from experiences, decisions or outcomes. But learning from others can provide insight and knowledge to do things differently. Sciana members have spoken of the value the network offers in terms of learning from people from different countries and different sectors.

Members of the Sciana Network include health policymakers, practitioners, academics, public sector leaders and business leaders. Each cohort includes people from a diverse range of backgrounds, which can provide a different way of thinking about health care challenges.

Christina Brunnschweiler, CEO of Spitex Zurich Limmat (SZL) AG and a 2017 Sciana cohort member, said the most value she attained from being part of the Sciana Network was in relation to this diversity. She said, “There were people from public health and industry, not just other hospitals. An interesting cross-section of people, and it was fascinating to understand what their issues are and what their thoughts are.”

The structure of the Sciana process gives the opportunity to really learn from people, in a way that is not always possible. Lutz Hager, executive director at IKK Südwest and a 2018 cohort member, said Sciana gave him “a perspective I could not have gained from attending lectures or reading journal articles”.

Broadening horizons and taking people away from a one-sector viewpoint is key, as Tobias Gantner, founder of the HealthCare Futurists GmbH and a 2017 Sciana cohort member, explained. He said, “Usually you work in a silo. I work with doctors and people from industry, for example, but I don’t have much contact with people in nursing or people who develop guidelines.

“It was so interesting to meet people from different walks of life, who all have in common an interest in patient care and working in the health care system.”

Daniel Liedtke, chief operating officer of the Hirslanden Private Hospital Group and a 2017 Sciana cohort member, agreed. He said, “In Sciana you have policymakers, doctors etc. – I don’t know any other network that can provide such a diverse group of health care experts.”

Sciana is unique in bringing together people from different European countries, all of which have very different health care systems. Members have reflected on how interesting it was to hear about other systems, but also how much they took away from this.

Annabel Seebohm, secretary-general of the Standing Committee of European Doctors, and a 2018 Sciana cohort member said, “I work in the policy world, at an EU level, so I am not particularly connected to one particular country. So for me it really nice to learn from people who are actually working on the frontline with very specific problems in their practice, rather than at a policy level.

“Working at the EU level, I can be a bit disconnected from time to time, so it was very helpful to be able to speak to people from different sectors, for example, industry or technology. There are different mindsets, different approaches, and we could all share best practice.”

Richard Lee, chief operating officer of St John Ambulance and a 2018 Sciana cohort member, said, “There is something about the perspective it gives you that it doesn’t actually matter that the German, Swiss or British systems are so different – the actual challenges are the same, namely resources and workforce.”

Lee spoke of how Sciana can impact career paths. He said, “I think Sciana is particularly good for people who have worked in the same sector or organisation for a long time. It will open their eyes and minds to a whole new set of possibilities, both personally and professionally. It will help them decide what they want to do going forward.”

Sciana: The Health Leaders Network is a new initiative bringing together outstanding leaders in health and health care policy and innovation across Europe. The Sciana network is supported by a partnership between The Health Foundation, Careum Stiftung, and the Robert Bosch Stiftung in collaboration with Salzburg Global Seminar.