Fabienne Cocchi
F. Cocchi - Un laboratorio di leadership concreta
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Fabienne Cocchi, a nurse and head of internal training at the SCUDO home care service, shares her experience with the DAS in Health Management. This program goes beyond traditional training, offering enrichment on both a professional and personal level. It serves as a workshop for developing essential skills for those in leadership roles within the healthcare sector and for promoting quality and sustainability in care.
Who are you and what do you do?
I am a nurse and have been working in SCUDO’s home care service for about 20 years. For the past ten years or so, I have also been in charge of internal training: I coordinate staff training programs and support their ongoing professional development. At the same time, I oversee the practical training of nursing assistants, ACSS, OSS, and nurses, and guide them through their fieldwork. I am also a cantonal trainer for the InterRAI Home Care tool and am responsible for training nursing staff working at Spitex agencies throughout the Ticino region.
Why did you decide to enroll in the DAS in Healthcare Management?
To expand and develop my managerial and strategic skills. After many years of clinical and educational experience, I felt the need to acquire more robust, critical, and practical tools to manage complex processes more effectively. The DAS program offered me the opportunity to gain practical knowledge in management and organization, but above all, it provided me with strategic frameworks: process analysis, planning, resource management, quality assessment, and benchmarking. Engaging with different organizational models and experiences broadened my perspective. I also reinforced the importance of networking, which is essential for integrating professionals, services, and institutions and ensuring the quality and sustainability of care.
The DAS in Healthcare Management is a program that goes far beyond traditional training. In addition to providing clinical and managerial skills, it requires participants to engage in a range of additional activities, such as organizing webinars open to the public, radio appearances, and other communication initiatives. Can you tell us about your experience?
The experience was extremely enriching both professionally and personally. After many years of working at the same organization, I felt the need to engage with professionals from different fields: hospital-based, community-based, and management. This dialogue was one of the most stimulating aspects and helped me to re-examine my professional practice with a more critical eye, as well as introducing new ideas and perspectives within my organization. The “extra” activities presented a significant challenge. In particular, the coordination work was intense and formative: planning, assigning tasks, aligning schedules and skills, and keeping the group motivated and focused on the goal. It was a true exercise in practical leadership, which allowed me to strengthen my organizational, interpersonal, and decision-making skills.
Are there any aspects of this training program that you find particularly useful for your day-to-day work?
Project management tools, strategic planning, and a focus on continuous improvement were the most valuable aspects of the program. The skills I acquired now allow me to systematically set up complex projects, define clear objectives, establish indicators, monitor results, and evaluate the impact of the actions taken. The focus on benchmarking against other organizations also helps me avoid limiting myself to internal matters, but rather to maintain an open perspective oriented toward quality and innovation. The continuous improvement approach guides me in critically analyzing processes, identifying areas for development, and promoting a professional culture based on accountability, collaboration, and the sharing of best practices. These tools are now an integral part of my work and enable me to make more informed, structured, and long-term decisions.
Who would you recommend this training program to, and why?
I recommend this program to healthcare professionals who wish to take on or consolidate leadership roles. The DAS offers a comprehensive overview, provides practical tools, and enables participants to develop competent and mindful leadership skills capable of meeting the needs of a constantly evolving healthcare system.