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Research paper thumbnail of The social organization of a sedentary life for residents in long-term care

Nursing Inquiry, 2015

Worldwide, the literature reports that many residents in long-term care (LTC) homes are sedentary... more Worldwide, the literature reports that many residents in long-term care (LTC) homes are sedentary. In Canada, personal support workers (PSWs) provide most of the direct care in LTC homes and could play a key role in promoting activity for residents. The purpose of this institutional ethnographic study was to uncover the social organization of LTC work and to discover how this organization influenced the physical activity of residents. Data were collected in two LTC homes in Ontario, Canada through participant observations with PSWs and interviews with people within and external to the homes. Findings explicate the links between meals, lifts and transfers, and the LTC standards to reveal that physical activity is considered an add-on program in the purview of physiotherapists. Some of the LTC standards which are intended to product good outcomes for residents actually disrupt the work of PSWs making it difficult for them to respond to the physical activity needs of residents. This descriptive ethnographic account is an important first step in trying to find a solution to optimize real activities of daily living into life in LTC.

Research paper thumbnail of Methods for a study of Anticipatory and Preventive multidisciplinary Team Care in a family practice

Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien

BACKGROUND T o examine the methodology used to evaluate whether focusing the work of nurse practi... more BACKGROUND T o examine the methodology used to evaluate whether focusing the work of nurse practitioners and a pharmacist on frail and at-risk patients would improve the quality of care for such patients. Evaluation of methodology of a randomized controlled trial including analysis of quantitative and qualitative data over time and analysis of cost-effectiveness. A single practice in a rural area near Ottawa, Ont. A total of 241 frail patients, aged 50 years and older, at risk of experiencing adverse health outcomes. At-risk patients were randomly assigned to receive Anticipatory and Preventive Team Care (from their family physicians, 1 of 3 nurse practitioners, and a pharmacist) or usual care. The principal outcome for the study was the quality of care for chronic disease management. Secondary outcomes included other quality of care measures and evaluation of the program process and its cost-effectiveness. This article examines the effectiveness of the methodology used. Quantitativ...

Research paper thumbnail of Integration of nurse practitioners into a family health network

The Canadian nurse

A randomized controlled study called Anticipatory and Preventative Team Care (APTCare) explored a... more A randomized controlled study called Anticipatory and Preventative Team Care (APTCare) explored a new role for nurse practitioners (NPs) within a multidisciplinary team. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether integrating NPs and a pharmacist was an effective approach for the management of patients living with multiple chronic illnesses. Over an 18-month period, three part-time NPs and a pharmacist became part of a rural Family Health Network (FHN). They established relationships with study patients and collaborated to provide optimum care. Each NP had 40 patients, all of whom received care in the home. Study results showed that an initial home visit was invaluable for establishing a care plan, developing a relationship with the patient and assessing the home environment. Ongoing monitoring at home, however, was found to be an inefficient use of the NP role. By the end of the study, all clinicians agreed that the NP role had been successfully integrated into the multidisciplina...

Research paper thumbnail of Supporting primary health care nurse practitioners’ transition to practice

Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien

To examine role transition and support requirements for nurse practitioner (NP) graduates in thei... more To examine role transition and support requirements for nurse practitioner (NP) graduates in their first year of practice from the perspectives of the NPs and coparticipants familiar with the NPs' practices; and to make recommendations for practice, education, and policy. Descriptive qualitative design informed by focused ethnography and narrative analysis using semistructured, in-depth, qualitative interviews. Primary health care (PHC) settings in Ontario in which NPs worked. Twenty-three NPs who had graduated from the Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner program, and 21 coparticipants including family physicians, NPs, and managers who were familiar with the NPs' practices. Anglophone and francophone NPs in their first year of practice in PHC settings were contacted by e-mail or letter. Participating NPs nominated colleagues in the workplace who could comment on their practice. Interviews were conducted within the first 3 months, at 6 months, and at 12 months of t...

Research paper thumbnail of Randomized controlled trial of anticipatory and preventive multidisciplinary team care: For complex patients in a community-based primary care setting

Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien

T o examine whether quality of care (QOC) improves when nurse practitioners and pharmacists work ... more T o examine whether quality of care (QOC) improves when nurse practitioners and pharmacists work with family physicians in community practice and focus their work on patients who are 50 years of age and older and considered to be at risk of experiencing adverse health outcomes. Randomized controlled trial. A family health network with 8 family physicians, 5 nurses, and 11 administrative personnel serving 10 000 patients in a rural area near Ottawa, Ont. Patients 50 years of age and older at risk of experiencing adverse health outcomes (N = 241). At-risk patients were randomly assigned to receive usual care from their family physicians or Anticipatory and Preventive Team Care (APTCare) from a collaborative team composed of their physicians, 1 of 3 nurse practitioners, and a pharmacist. Quality of care for chronic disease management (CDM) for diabetes, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Controlling for baseline demographic cha...

Research paper thumbnail of Interprofessional education in palliative care: A pilot project using popular literature

Journal of Interprofessional Care, 2006

A need to introduce the concepts of death and dying to the medical and health sciences undergradu... more A need to introduce the concepts of death and dying to the medical and health sciences undergraduate curriculum was identified at the University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. As care of the terminally ill is complex and requires the collaborative involvement of a diverse group of health care professionals, an interprofessional educational approach was utilized to address this need. A seminar course was developed using popular literature as the basis for learning, and offered to first and second year medical students, fourth year nursing students and graduate students in spiritual care. The discussion of roles and the provision of care within the context of works of selected literature provided a focus that enabled the students to transcend their disciplinary barriers, and to better understand the perspectives and contributions that other team members bring to patient care. Evaluation findings suggest that meaningful interprofessional education can be introduced effectively to students either prior to or while they are maturing in their professional roles.

Research paper thumbnail of Barriers to Physical Activity and Restorative Care for Residents in Long-Term Care: A Review of the Literature

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 2014

Despite the benefits of physical activity, residents living in long-term care (LTC) are relativel... more Despite the benefits of physical activity, residents living in long-term care (LTC) are relatively sedentary. Designing successful physical activity and restorative care programs requires a good understanding of implementation barriers. A database search (2002-2013) yielded seven studies (nine articles) that met our inclusion criteria. We also reviewed 31 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine if the authors explicitly discussed the barriers encountered while implementing their interventions. Eleven RCTs (13 articles) included a discussion of the barriers. Hence, a total of 18 studies (22 articles) were included in this review. Barriers occurred at resident (e.g., health status), environmental (e.g., lack of space for physical activity), and organizational (e.g., staffing and funding constraints) levels. These barriers intersect to adversely affect the physical activity of older people living in LTC. Future studies targeting physical activity interventions for residents living in LTC are needed to address these multiple levels of influence.

Research paper thumbnail of Difficulties Encountered in Collaborative Care: Logistics Trumps Desire

Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM, 2012

Introduction: This study examines the development of collaborative relationships between family p... more Introduction: This study examines the development of collaborative relationships between family physicians (FPs) and Anticipatory And Preventative Team Care (APTCare) team members providing care to medically complex patients who have been identified as at-risk for negative health outcomes. METHODS: We undertook a qualitative study of a primary health care intervention in a family practice. Interviews were held with FPs and ATPCare intervention nurse practitioners (NPs) and pharmacists. Focus groups were conducted and a survey was administered to participating FPs, NPs, and pharmacists. NPs and pharmacists maintained a log recording their tasks and moments of collaboration. RESULTS: Scheduling demands rendered face-to-face collaboration difficult, leaving the team to rely on technological tools to keep in touch. Limited space meant the APTCare team had to work out of a downstairs office, limiting informal interactions with the practitioners on the main level. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstr...

Research paper thumbnail of Fostering interactions: the networking needs of community health nursing researchers and decision makers

Evidence & Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice, 2005

Research paper thumbnail of The social organization of a sedentary life for residents in long-term care

Nursing Inquiry, 2015

Worldwide, the literature reports that many residents in long-term care (LTC) homes are sedentary... more Worldwide, the literature reports that many residents in long-term care (LTC) homes are sedentary. In Canada, personal support workers (PSWs) provide most of the direct care in LTC homes and could play a key role in promoting activity for residents. The purpose of this institutional ethnographic study was to uncover the social organization of LTC work and to discover how this organization influenced the physical activity of residents. Data were collected in two LTC homes in Ontario, Canada through participant observations with PSWs and interviews with people within and external to the homes. Findings explicate the links between meals, lifts and transfers, and the LTC standards to reveal that physical activity is considered an add-on program in the purview of physiotherapists. Some of the LTC standards which are intended to product good outcomes for residents actually disrupt the work of PSWs making it difficult for them to respond to the physical activity needs of residents. This descriptive ethnographic account is an important first step in trying to find a solution to optimize real activities of daily living into life in LTC.

Research paper thumbnail of Methods for a study of Anticipatory and Preventive multidisciplinary Team Care in a family practice

Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien

BACKGROUND T o examine the methodology used to evaluate whether focusing the work of nurse practi... more BACKGROUND T o examine the methodology used to evaluate whether focusing the work of nurse practitioners and a pharmacist on frail and at-risk patients would improve the quality of care for such patients. Evaluation of methodology of a randomized controlled trial including analysis of quantitative and qualitative data over time and analysis of cost-effectiveness. A single practice in a rural area near Ottawa, Ont. A total of 241 frail patients, aged 50 years and older, at risk of experiencing adverse health outcomes. At-risk patients were randomly assigned to receive Anticipatory and Preventive Team Care (from their family physicians, 1 of 3 nurse practitioners, and a pharmacist) or usual care. The principal outcome for the study was the quality of care for chronic disease management. Secondary outcomes included other quality of care measures and evaluation of the program process and its cost-effectiveness. This article examines the effectiveness of the methodology used. Quantitativ...

Research paper thumbnail of Integration of nurse practitioners into a family health network

The Canadian nurse

A randomized controlled study called Anticipatory and Preventative Team Care (APTCare) explored a... more A randomized controlled study called Anticipatory and Preventative Team Care (APTCare) explored a new role for nurse practitioners (NPs) within a multidisciplinary team. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether integrating NPs and a pharmacist was an effective approach for the management of patients living with multiple chronic illnesses. Over an 18-month period, three part-time NPs and a pharmacist became part of a rural Family Health Network (FHN). They established relationships with study patients and collaborated to provide optimum care. Each NP had 40 patients, all of whom received care in the home. Study results showed that an initial home visit was invaluable for establishing a care plan, developing a relationship with the patient and assessing the home environment. Ongoing monitoring at home, however, was found to be an inefficient use of the NP role. By the end of the study, all clinicians agreed that the NP role had been successfully integrated into the multidisciplina...

Research paper thumbnail of Supporting primary health care nurse practitioners’ transition to practice

Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien

To examine role transition and support requirements for nurse practitioner (NP) graduates in thei... more To examine role transition and support requirements for nurse practitioner (NP) graduates in their first year of practice from the perspectives of the NPs and coparticipants familiar with the NPs' practices; and to make recommendations for practice, education, and policy. Descriptive qualitative design informed by focused ethnography and narrative analysis using semistructured, in-depth, qualitative interviews. Primary health care (PHC) settings in Ontario in which NPs worked. Twenty-three NPs who had graduated from the Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner program, and 21 coparticipants including family physicians, NPs, and managers who were familiar with the NPs' practices. Anglophone and francophone NPs in their first year of practice in PHC settings were contacted by e-mail or letter. Participating NPs nominated colleagues in the workplace who could comment on their practice. Interviews were conducted within the first 3 months, at 6 months, and at 12 months of t...

Research paper thumbnail of Randomized controlled trial of anticipatory and preventive multidisciplinary team care: For complex patients in a community-based primary care setting

Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien

T o examine whether quality of care (QOC) improves when nurse practitioners and pharmacists work ... more T o examine whether quality of care (QOC) improves when nurse practitioners and pharmacists work with family physicians in community practice and focus their work on patients who are 50 years of age and older and considered to be at risk of experiencing adverse health outcomes. Randomized controlled trial. A family health network with 8 family physicians, 5 nurses, and 11 administrative personnel serving 10 000 patients in a rural area near Ottawa, Ont. Patients 50 years of age and older at risk of experiencing adverse health outcomes (N = 241). At-risk patients were randomly assigned to receive usual care from their family physicians or Anticipatory and Preventive Team Care (APTCare) from a collaborative team composed of their physicians, 1 of 3 nurse practitioners, and a pharmacist. Quality of care for chronic disease management (CDM) for diabetes, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Controlling for baseline demographic cha...

Research paper thumbnail of Interprofessional education in palliative care: A pilot project using popular literature

Journal of Interprofessional Care, 2006

A need to introduce the concepts of death and dying to the medical and health sciences undergradu... more A need to introduce the concepts of death and dying to the medical and health sciences undergraduate curriculum was identified at the University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. As care of the terminally ill is complex and requires the collaborative involvement of a diverse group of health care professionals, an interprofessional educational approach was utilized to address this need. A seminar course was developed using popular literature as the basis for learning, and offered to first and second year medical students, fourth year nursing students and graduate students in spiritual care. The discussion of roles and the provision of care within the context of works of selected literature provided a focus that enabled the students to transcend their disciplinary barriers, and to better understand the perspectives and contributions that other team members bring to patient care. Evaluation findings suggest that meaningful interprofessional education can be introduced effectively to students either prior to or while they are maturing in their professional roles.

Research paper thumbnail of Barriers to Physical Activity and Restorative Care for Residents in Long-Term Care: A Review of the Literature

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 2014

Despite the benefits of physical activity, residents living in long-term care (LTC) are relativel... more Despite the benefits of physical activity, residents living in long-term care (LTC) are relatively sedentary. Designing successful physical activity and restorative care programs requires a good understanding of implementation barriers. A database search (2002-2013) yielded seven studies (nine articles) that met our inclusion criteria. We also reviewed 31 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine if the authors explicitly discussed the barriers encountered while implementing their interventions. Eleven RCTs (13 articles) included a discussion of the barriers. Hence, a total of 18 studies (22 articles) were included in this review. Barriers occurred at resident (e.g., health status), environmental (e.g., lack of space for physical activity), and organizational (e.g., staffing and funding constraints) levels. These barriers intersect to adversely affect the physical activity of older people living in LTC. Future studies targeting physical activity interventions for residents living in LTC are needed to address these multiple levels of influence.

Research paper thumbnail of Difficulties Encountered in Collaborative Care: Logistics Trumps Desire

Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM, 2012

Introduction: This study examines the development of collaborative relationships between family p... more Introduction: This study examines the development of collaborative relationships between family physicians (FPs) and Anticipatory And Preventative Team Care (APTCare) team members providing care to medically complex patients who have been identified as at-risk for negative health outcomes. METHODS: We undertook a qualitative study of a primary health care intervention in a family practice. Interviews were held with FPs and ATPCare intervention nurse practitioners (NPs) and pharmacists. Focus groups were conducted and a survey was administered to participating FPs, NPs, and pharmacists. NPs and pharmacists maintained a log recording their tasks and moments of collaboration. RESULTS: Scheduling demands rendered face-to-face collaboration difficult, leaving the team to rely on technological tools to keep in touch. Limited space meant the APTCare team had to work out of a downstairs office, limiting informal interactions with the practitioners on the main level. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstr...

Research paper thumbnail of Fostering interactions: the networking needs of community health nursing researchers and decision makers

Evidence & Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice, 2005