Collaboration

CCAPNR involves a group of multi-disciplinary, university-based researchers dedicated to creating new solutions for problems that challenge health and social services through the use of new models of care and evaluation. The team engages in research and professional education activities to address CCAPNR goals.

CCAPNR goals include:1. To provide a national forum to identify, discuss, consult and debate on important issues relevant to the education, development, and utilization of generalist, specialized and advanced nursing roles in Canada.2. To conduct timely, responsive and meaningful interdisciplinary and cross-jurisdictional research that informs decision-making about the education, development and utilization of generalist, specialized and advanced nursing roles in Canada.3. To lead a broad range of knowledge translation activities that support the design, conduct, dissemination and utilization of high quality research about nursing roles and models of care delivery in Canada.4. To support the development of advanced nursing roles and related research through consultation with key stakeholders and the education and mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students, advanced practice nurse

Faculty Member:

Denise Bryant-Lukosius and Ruth Martin-Misener (Co-Directors), Nancy Carter, Faith Donald, Patti Harbman, Kelly Kilpatrick, Diana Sherifali, Joan Trammer, Ruta Valaitis

Students:

1. Linda Brousseau
2. Erin Ziegler
3. Lindsay Yuille

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Canadian Centre for Advanced Practice Nursing (CCAPNR)

Since 2009, Dr. Ruta Valaitis has been a Deputy Director, World health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre (McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario) for Primary Care and Health Human Resources. Dr. Valaitis was elected Secretary to the Pan American Nursing and Midwifery Collaborating Centres Network (PANNMCC) and served in that role from 2011 to 2013.

A PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center is an institution designated by the Director General to form part of an international network that develops activities in support of the programs of the World Health Organization. Currently the Region of the Americas has 18 Collaborating Centers in Nursing and Midwifery.  Our Collaborating Centre was recently redesignated (see http://fhs.mcmaster.ca/globalhealthoffice/McMaster_redesignated_paho_who_collaborating_centre.html) 

PANMCC/WHO :

Collaborating Centres

Research Funding:

More Information:

• WHO Collaborating Centre for Primary Care and Health Human Resources

The McMaster University School of Nursing (SON) is dedicated to improving the health of residents in our local communities and fulfilling the School’s mission of community engaged scholarship.

To that end, in 2011 the School launched Health in the Hubs, an ongoing partnership between the SON and the local community planning teams (LPTs) from three Hamilton neighbourhoods: Crown Point, McQuesten, and South Sherman. The LPTs are made up of residents, service providers, places of worship, institutions and local businesses from each neighbourhood hub. A hub brings organizations, businesses and citizens in a community together.

Past Lead: Currently a Team Member :

Semogas D., Rolfe, S., Derbyshire, D., Murray, N., Penner, S., Slotiuk, C., Habib, N., Valaitis, R., Wahoush, O., Harrington, M.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Website
• Health in the Hubs Phase 1 Report
• Health in the Hubs Think Tank

The objective of this study is to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the Health Teams Advancing Patient Experience: Strengthening Quality (Health TAPESTRY) approach in older adults.

In our program, trained volunteers visit people where they live . In these visits, they learn about what matters most to that person and their health. They also learn more about a person’s health needs. The stories people tell our volunteers are recorded and sent to their health care team using special technology. This helps the team learn more about that person’s life, health needs, goals and how they can better work together to achieve goals and meet needs.

Co-author:

Dolovich, L., Oliver, D., Lamarche, L., Agarwal, G., Carr, T., Chan, D., Cleghorn, L., Griffith, L., Javadi, D., Kastner, M., Longaphy, J., Mangin, D., Richardson, J., Papaioannou, A., Ploeg, J., Raina, P., Risdon, C., Santaguida, P.L., Straus, S., Thabane, L., Valaitis, R., Price, D.

Research Funding:

• TAPESTRY: Teams Advancing Patient Experience: Strengthening Quality

More Information:

• Publication
• Health Tapestry Website

The purpose of this scoping literature review was to determine what is known about: 1) structures and processes required to build successful collaborations between primary care (PC) and public health (PH); 2) outcomes of such collaborations; and 3) markers of their success.

The combined search strategy yielded 6125 articles of which 114 were included. Systemic-level factors influencing collaboration included: government involvement, policy and fit with local needs; funding and resource factors, power and control issues; and education and training. Lack of a common agenda; knowledge and resource limitations; leadership, management and accountability issues; geographic proximity of partners; and shared protocols, tools and information sharing were influential at the organizational level. Interpersonal factors included having a shared purpose; philosophy and beliefs; clear roles and positive relationships; and effective communication and decision-making strategies. Reported benefits of collaboration included: improved chronic disease management; communicable disease control; and maternal child health. More research is needed to explore the conditions and contexts in which collaboration between PC and PH makes most sense and potential gains outweigh the associated risks and costs.

Co-author:

Martin-Misener, R., Valaitis, R., Wong, S.T., MacDonald, M., Meagher-Stewart, D., Austin, P., Kaczorowski, J., O’Mara, L., Savage, R., & the Strengthening Primary Health Care through Public Health and Primary Care Collaborations Team.

Research Funding:

• Building Primary Health Care Nursing Leadership to Enhance Collaboration between Primary Health Care and Public Health

More Information:

• Publication

The objective of this study was to explore the use and perceptions of a local Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Extranet and its potential to support future information and communication applications. The SARS Extranet was a single, managed electronic and limited access system to manage local, provincial and other SARS control information.

Despite higher rankings of various communication strategies during the SARS outbreak, such as email, meetings, teleconferences, and other web sites, users generally perceived a local Extranet as a useful support for the dissemination of local information during a public health emergency.

Co-author:

Valaitis, R., Akhtar-Danesh, N., Kealey, C., Brunetti, G., Thomas, H.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Publication

his study aimed to explore the nature of Canadian primary care - public health collaborations, their aims, motivations, activities, collaboration barriers and enablers, and perceived outcomes.

Health systems in Canada and elsewhere are at a crossroads of reform in response to rising economic and societal pressures. The Quadruple Aim advocates for: improving patient experience, reducing cost, advancing population health and improving the provider experience. It is at the forefront of Canadian reform debates aimed to improve a complex and often-fragmented health care system. Concurrently, collaboration between primary care and public health has been the focus of current research, looking for integrated community-based primary health care models that best suit the health needs of communities and address health equity. This study aimed to explore the nature of Canadian primary care - public health collaborations, their aims, motivations, activities, collaboration barriers and enablers, and perceived outcomes. Ten case studies were conducted in three provinces (Nova Scotia, Ontario, and British Columbia) to elucidate experiences of primary care and public health collaboration in different settings, contexts, populations and forms. Data sources included a survey using the Partnership Self-Assessment Tool, focus groups, and document analysis. This provided an opportunity to explore how primary care and public health collaboration could serve in transforming community-based primary health care with the potential to address the Quadruple Aims. Aims of collaborations included: provider capacity building, regional vaccine/immunization management, community-based health promotion programming, and, outreach to increase access to care. Common precipitators were having a shared vision and/or community concern. Barriers and enablers differed among cases. Perceived barriers included ineffective communication processes, inadequate time for collaboration, geographic challenges, lack of resources, and varying organizational goals and mandates. Enablers included clear goals, trusting and inclusive relationships, role clarity, strong leadership, strong coordination and communication, and optimal use of resources. Cases achieved outcomes addressing the Q-Aims such as improving access to services, addressing population health through outreach to at-risk populations, reducing costs through efficiencies, and improving provider experience through capacity building. Primary care and public health collaborations can strengthen community-based primary health care while addressing the Quadruple Aims with an emphasis on reducing health inequities but requires attention to collaboration barriers and enablers.

Primary Author:

Ruta Valaitis, Sabrina Wong, Marjorie MacDonald, Ruth Martin-Misener, Linda O’Mara, Donna Meagher-Stewart, Sandy Isaacs, Nancy Murray, Andrea Baumann, Fred Burge, Michael Green, Janusz Kaczorowski & Rachel Savage

Students:

1. Sandra Isaacs

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Link to article

The research objective was to collaborate with frontline homecare workers (e.g. care coordinators, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and personal support workers) and key stakeholders (e.g. Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, Heart and Stroke Foundation) to inform, design and build an innovative mobile health application to support communication and collaboration. A Webinar was given for the Ontario Home Care Association, January 27, 2016.

The end goals of the application are to promote evidence-informed care for older adults who have experienced a stroke and have multiple chronic conditions (MCC), and to provide a communication tool for all members of the homecare team, including healthcare providers, clients, and their family caregivers.

Co-researcher:

Matthew-Maich, N., Bender, D., Taberner, C., Markle-Reid, M., Ploeg, J., Gafni, A., Valaitis, R.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Website
• News Story

Systems navigation services provided by a designated provider or team have the potential to address health and social disparities. We conducted an environmental scan of navigation activities in a large urban Canadian community to identify and describe: service providers who engage in systems navigation; the clients who require systems navigation support and the issues they face; activities involved; and barriers and facilitators in providing systems navigation support to clients.

 Using an online survey and convenience sampling, we recruited individuals who self-identified as community navigators or practiced systems navigation activities as part of their role. The majority of respondents (n¼145) were social workers, social services workers, or nurses. Clients of navigators struggled with mental health or addictions issues, disabilities, chronic diseases, and history of trauma or abuse. The most frequently reported activities of navigators were building professional relationships, managing paperwork, and communicating with relevant agencies or organizations. Barriers and facilitators are reported. 

Co-author:

Nancy Carter, Ruta Valaitis, Janice Feather, Laura Cleghorn, and Annie Lam

Students:

1. Janice Feather

Research Funding:

• Evaluation of a Community Nurse Navigator in a Priority Hamilton Neighbourhood

More Information:

• Link to paper

This report describes an environmental scan that was completed in May 2009 of primary care and public health in the province of British Columbia (BC) as one of a series of steps in a larger program of research: Strengthening Primary Health Care through Primary Care and Public Health Collaboration Study (Strengthening PHC Study).

It is one of three scans being completed for provincial health care systems, which include: British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia. The purpose of the environmental scans is to provide current information about the provincial context of primary care and public health that may be contributing, either positively or negatively, towards integration and collaboration between these two health sectors. Vancouver: Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, University of British Columbia. ISBN 978-0-88865-879-1. 

Co-author:

Wong, S.T., MacDonald, M., Valaitis, R.K., Kaczorowski, J. Munroe, V., Blatherwick, J.

Research Funding:

• Building Primary Health Care Nursing Leadership to Enhance Collaboration between Primary Health Care and Public Health

More Information:

• Report

This report describes an environmental scan that was completed in July 2009 of primary care and public health in the province of Nova Scotia (NS) as one of a series of steps in a larger program of research: Strengthening Primary Health Care through Primary Care and Public Health Collaboration Study (Strengthening PHC Study).

It is one of three scans being completed of provincial health care systems; the others are British Columbia and Ontario. The purpose of the environmental scans is to provide current information about the provincial context of primary care and public health that may be contributing, either positively or negatively, towards integration and collaboration between these two health sectors. Halifax, NS: School of Nursing, Dalhousie University. ISBN PDF: 978-0-7703-1887-1. 

Co-author:

Meagher-Stewart, D., Martin-Misener, R., Valaitis, R.K.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Report

This report describes an environmental scan, which includes information up to May 2009, related to primary care (PC) and public health (PH) in the province of Ontario (ON). It is one of a series of steps in a larger program of research entitled: Strengthening Primary Health Care through Primary Care and Public Health Collaboration Study (Strengthening PHC Study).

This is also one of a series of three scans being completed for provincial health care systems, including those of British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia. The purpose of the environmental scans is to provide current information about the provincial context of PC and PH that may be contributing, either positively or negatively, towards integration and collaboration between these two health sectors. Hamilton: School of Nursing, McMaster University. ISBN PDF 978-1-894088-19-0. 

First Author:

Valaitis, R.K., Ehrlich, A., O’Mara, L.M, Brauer, P.M.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Report

The aim of this toolkit is to develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes that support the development and maintenance of successful collaborations between primary care and public health. This toolkit is for practitioners, managers, policy makers, and students from a variety of disciplines working in primary care and public health.

This toolkit was developed based on results from a 4-1/2 year program of research supported by the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation completed in 2012. It was developed with multiple co-authors including Francophone and Aboriginal communities. It was officially launched in July 2016.

Lead:

Valaitis, R., Murray, N., Brauer, P., Green, M., MacDonald, M., Martin-Misener, R., Meagher-Stewart, D., O'Mara, l., Savage, R., Wong, S., Gendron, S.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Website

This case study describes how broker organizations supported a network of community-based services to work together to address the primary healthcare needs of recent immigrant families with young children.

Broker organizations were identified as pivotal for ensuring connections among network members, for supporting immigrant family access to services through their involvement with multiple providers, and for developing cultural competence capacities in the system overall. Network cohesiveness differed depending on the type of need being addressed, as did the organizations playing the role of broker. Service providers were able to extend their reach through the co-location of services in local centres and schools attended by immigrant families and their children. The study demonstrates the value of ties across service sectors facilitated by broker organizations to ensure the delivery of comprehensive services to young immigrant families challenged by an unfamiliar system of care.

Co-author:

Isaacs, S., Valaitis, R., Newbold, K.B., Black, M., & Sargeant, J.

Students:

1. Sandra Isaacs

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Publication

The aim was to explore how an organization's trust in the cultural competency of other service providers (competence trust) can influence the effectiveness of a services network in meeting the needs of recent immigrant families.

Perceived cultural competency affected the degree of trust and collaboration within the services network when addressing the needs of recent immigrant families. Competence trust toward other providers increased the desire and commitment to work together, while lack of competence trust created avoidance. Non-government organizations were identified among the most culturally competent. The perceived positive and negative experiences of families with different providers influenced the level of trust among network members. The development of systemic cultural competences within a services network is needed in order to improve collaborations and access to services for immigrant families.

Co-author:

Isaacs, S., Valaitis, R., Newbold, K.B., Black, M., & Sargeant, J.

Students:

1. Sandra Isaacs

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Publication

The purpose of the study on which this article is based was to determine the current extent of linkages among Canadian community health nursing researchers and decision makers and to identify perceptions around the structure and function of potential networks.

A qualitative research design was utilised to develop common themes across focus groups, a workshop and key informant interviews. The findings suggest that there is a need for a formal community health network to provide an efficient and timely means to link the expertise required to tackle complex community health policy problems, and to create supports for advancing community health science with relevant and high quality research. This work was foundational to the development of a public health network- CHNET WORKS! (http://www.chnet-works.ca/)

Co-author:

Kothari, A., Edwards, N., Brajtman, S., Campbell, B., Hamel, N., Legault, F., Mill, J., Valaitis, R.

Research Funding:

• Networking Infrastructure for Community Health Nursing Researchers and Decision-makers

More Information:

• Publication

This paper fills a gap in knowledge to reveal what is known about motivators and factors influencing implementation and maintenance of patient navigation programs in primary care that link patients to community-based health and social services. It also reports on outcomes from these studies to help identify gaps in research that can inform future studies.

This scoping literature review involved: i) electronic database searches; ii) a web site search; iii) a search of reference lists from literature reviews; and, iv) author follow up. It included papers from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and/or Western Europe published between January 1990 and June 2013 if they discussed navigators or navigation programs in primary care settings that linked patients to community-based health and social services.   Of 34 papers, most originated in the United States (n = 29) while the remainder were from the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. Motivators for initiating navigation programs were to: a) improve delivery of health and social care services; b) support and manage specific health needs or specific population needs, and; c) improve quality of life and wellbeing of patients. Eleven factors were found to influence implementation and maintenance of these patient navigation programs. These factors closely aligned with the Diffusion of Innovation in Service Organizations model, thus providing a theoretical foundation to support them. Various positive outcomes were reported for patients, providers and navigators, as well as the health and social care system, although they need to be considered with caution since the majority of studies were descriptive.

First Author:

Ruta K. Valaitis; Nancy Carter; Annie Lam; Jennifer Nicholl; Janice Feather; Laura Cleghorn

Students:

1. Jennifer Nicholl
2. Janice Feather

Research Funding:

• Evaluation of a Community Nurse Navigator in a Priority Hamilton Neighbourhood

More Information:

• Link to paper

Dr. Ingrid Tyler's, Public Health Ontario, presentation on 'The Social Pediatrics Realist Review' focussed interest on child and maternal health and related social pediatrics, as well as, advancing primary care/public health collaboration in this area. Dr. Ruta Valaitis was an invited advisor on this presentation.

The Public Health Physicians' of Canada: Continuing Professional Development Symposium 2014: 'Practice, Evidence, and Research - Public Health Physicians' Persepctive' The presentation was titled 'Social Networks and Social Media'

The Social Pediatrics Realist Review:

Tyler, I

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Public Health Phsicians' of Canada Symposium 2014 - Brochure

During 2005 - 2006, Dr. Ruta Valaitis served as an invited member of the E-Health Steering Committee for the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Norfolk Local Health Integrated Network (LHIN 4).

This report, submitted by the e-Health Steering Committee, is the culmination of the efforts that started with the priority planning process in November 2004, where the development of an e-Health strategy was identified as one of the LHIN’s key prioritis to promote system integration. The development of our e-Health strategy was actively supported by providers; they have demonstrated a tremendous enthusiasm for e-Health, and they are already leading and participating in a number of related initiatives.  The purpose of the 2006 document The Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network (HNHB LHIN) e-Health Strategic Plan was a directional document to guide the implementation of e-Health initiatives in the LHIN. It encompasses the vision for e-Health and strategies which the LHIN will pursue over the next decade. It also emphasizes the objectives and clear benefits of those strategies.

E-Health Strategic Plan 2006:

Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Norfolk LHIN

Research Funding:

More Information:

• HNHB LHIN E-Health Strategic Plan 2006

During 2006 - 2007, Dr. Ruta Valaitis served as an invited member of the Ministry of health and Long Term care (MOHLTC) Family Health Team (FHT) Action Group Sub-committee on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP).

The discussion report ‘Enhancing Disease prevention and Health promotion in Ontario’s Family Health Teams: The Public Health/Primary Health Connection’ (May 2006) served to make practical recommendations based on a review of the literature, other information and practices regarding the integration of public health services into primary care settings.

MOHLTC Family Health Teams :

Perth District Health Unit

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Enhancing DPHP Ontario`s FHTs

Invited Member: Community Advisory Neighbourhood Profiles Reference Group, Hamilton ON

A neighbourhood profile report was prepared in March 2012 by the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton for the United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton.

Neighbourhood Profiles (Hamilton, Ontatio):

Scoial Planning and Research Council of Hamilton

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Hamilton, Ontario Neighbourhood Profile Reports March 2012

The Aging Community Health Research Unit is a large multi-jurisdictional team which has received funding (over $5 Million) from CIHR and the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care.

To date, we have developed a KT plan for the Unit and have already held numerous KT events and meetings with over 100 stakeholders [community based organizations, provincial and federal governments, trainees, citizens (patients and their caregivers] in the first year]. More events are planned. Many KT strategies are being used such as websites, twitter, infographics, conferences, and open source publications. 

Co-lead and Chair:

Valaitis, R.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• ACHRU Website- Knowledge Translation

Dr. Ruta Valaitis was a member of the Hamilton Community Foundation (HCF) advisory and review committee from 2008 - 2010 for community grant related to the Tackling Poverty Together: Building Strong Neighbourhoods program. In 2011, Dr. Valaitis was a member of the Tackling Poverty Together Advisory Committee.

In 2004, the Hamilton Community Foundation (HCF) board launched ‘Tackling Poverty Together’ (TPT). Three million dollars was granted towards poverty reduction initiatives in over four years. The program was subsequently expanded in 2007 to TPT II: Building Strong Neighbourhoods, culminating in over a decade of funding and community leadership under TPT II. 

Tackling Poverty Together’ (TPT):

Hamilton Community Foundation (HCF)

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Hamilton Community Foundation
• Hamilton Roundtable on Poverty Reduction

This paper describes the methods, strategies and technologies used to conduct a scoping literature review examining primary care (PC) and public health (PH) collaboration. It presents challenges encountered as well as recommendations and 'lessons learned' from conducting the review with a large geographically distributed team comprised of researchers and decision-makers using an integrated knowledge translation approach.

Of 6125 papers identified, 114 were retained as relevant. Most papers originated in the United Kingdom (38%), the United States (34%) and Canada (19%). Of 80 papers that reported on specific collaborations, most were descriptive reports (51.3%). Research studies represented 34 papers: 31% were program evaluations, 9% were literature reviews and 9% were discussion papers. Key strategies to ensure rigor in conducting a scoping literature review while engaging a large geographically dispersed team are presented for each stage. The use of enabling technologies was essential to managing the process. Leadership in championing the use of technologies and a clear governance structure were necessary for their successful uptake.

First Author:

Valaitis, R., Martin-Misener, R., Wong, S.T., MacDonald, M., Meagher-Stewart, D., Austin, P., Kaczorowski, J., O’Mara, L., Savage, R.

Research Funding:

• Building Primary Health Care Nursing Leadership to Enhance Collaboration between Primary Health Care and Public Health

More Information:

• Publication

Report submitted to the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, 2017.

Co-author:

Wodchis, W., Glazier, R., Green, M., & Valaitis, R., Markle-Reid, M., Ploeg, J.

Research Funding:

Building on a scoping literature review, our study aimed to identify the influencing factors within these organizations that affect the ability of these health care sectors to collaborate with one another in the Canadian context. Relationships between these factors were also explored.

Seven major organizational influencing factors on collaboration were identified: 1) Clear Mandates, Vision, and Goals; 2) Strategic Coordination and Communication Mechanisms between Partners; 3) Formal Organizational Leaders as Collaborative Champions; 4) Collaborative Organizational Culture; 5) Optimal Use of Resources; 6) Optimal Use of Human Resources; and 7) Collaborative Approaches to Programs and Services Delivery.

First Author:

Ruta ValaitisEmail authorView ORCID ID profile, Donna Meagher-Stewart, Ruth Martin-Misener, Sabrina T. Wong, Marjorie MacDonald, Linda O’Mara and

Research Funding:

• Building Primary Health Care Nursing Leadership to Enhance Collaboration between Primary Health Care and Public Health

More Information:

• Link to paper

Building on a scoping literature review, our study aimed to identify the influencing factors within these organizations that affect the ability of these health care sectors to collaborate with one another in the Canadian context. Relationships between these factors were also explored.

Seven major organizational influencing factors on collaboration were identified: 1) Clear Mandates, Vision, and Goals; 2) Strategic Coordination and Communication Mechanisms between Partners; 3) Formal Organizational Leaders as Collaborative Champions; 4) Collaborative Organizational Culture; 5) Optimal Use of Resources; 6) Optimal Use of Human Resources; and 7) Collaborative Approaches to Programs and Services Delivery.

First Author:

Ruta Valaitis, Donna Meagher-Stewart, Ruth Martin-Misener, Sabrina T. Wong, Marjorie MacDonald, Linda O’Mara and The Strengthening Primary Health Care through Primary Care and Public Health Collaboration Team

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Link to paper

Given the push for health care reform and quality improvement (QI), health care administrators are seeking new ways to utilize all dimensions of APN expertise, especially related to research and evidence-based practice. The purpose of the paper is to describe an academic-clinical partnership to improve patient care by strengthening the capacity of advanced practice nurses to integrate research and evidence-based practice activities into their day-to-day practice.

An academic-practice partnership was created among hospital-based advanced practice nurses, nurse administrators, and APN researchers to create an innovative approach to educate and mentor advanced practice nurses in conducting point-of-care research, QI, or evidence-based practice projects to improve patient, provider, and/or system outcomes. A practice-based research course was delivered to 2 cohorts of advanced practice nurses using a range of teaching strategies including 1-to-1 academic mentorship. All participants completed self-report surveys before and after course delivery.

Co-author:

Patricia Harbman, Denise Bryant-Lukosius, Ruth Martin-Misener, Nancy Carter, Christine L. Covell, Faith Donald, Sharyn Gibbins, Kelley Kilpatrick, James McKinlay, Krista Rawson, Diana Sherifali, Joan Tranmer and Ruta Valaitis

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Link to paper

The persona-scenario exercise, an alternative to traditional strategies, originated from the field of human computer interface design. This project used this methodology adapted by Dr. Valaitis from participatory approaches used in eHealth. This article describes how persona-scenario exercises were applied in the codesign of the complex primary health care intervention TAPESTRY (Teams Advancing Patient Experiences: Strengthening Quality).

The goal of the TAPESTRY program is to determine how health care teams can be more responsive to the needs of our aging population. The program involves trained community volunteers reaching out to older adults in their homes to assess their health needs. Volunteers will be linked to patients’ health care teams using technology, which will improve communication with providers and will also maximize engagement with community service providers. For more information on TAPESTRY, visit http://healthtapestry.ca

First Author:

Valaitis, R., Longaphy, J., Nair, K., Agarwal, G., Griffith, L., Kastner, M., Oliver, D., Ploeg, J., Strauss, S., Dolovich, L.

Research Funding:

• TAPESTRY: Teams Advancing Patient Experience: Strengthening Quality

More Information:

• Publication
• Health Tapestry

The goal of the Aging, Community and Health Research Unit (ACHRU) is to promote optimal aging at home for older adults with multimorbidity (≥2 chronic conditions) and to support their family/friend caregivers. This protocol paper reports the rationale and plan for this patient-oriented, cross-jurisdictional research program.

BACKGROUND: The goal of the Aging, Community and Health Research Unit (ACHRU) is to promote optimal aging at home for older adults with multimorbidity (≥2 chronic conditions) and to support their family/friend caregivers. This protocol paper reports the rationale and plan for this patient-oriented, cross-jurisdictional research program. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the ACHRU research program are (i) to codesign integrated and person-centered interventions with older adults, family/friend caregivers, and providers; (ii) to examine the feasibility of newly designed interventions; (iii) to determine the intervention effectiveness on Triple Aim outcomes: health, patient/caregiver experience, and cost; (iv) to examine intervention context and implementation barriers and facilitators; (v) to use diverse integrated knowledge translation (IKT) strategies to engage knowledge users to support scalability and sustainability of effective interventions; and (vi) to build patient-oriented research capacity. DESIGN: The research program was informed by the Knowledge-to-Action Framework and the Complexity Model. Six individual studies were conceptualized as integrated pieces of work. The results of the three initial descriptive studies will inform and be followed by three pragmatic randomized controlled trials. IKT and capacity building activities will be embedded in all six studies and tailored to the unique focus of each study. CONCLUSIONS: This research program will inform the development of effective and scalable person-centered interventions that are sustainable through interagency and intersectoral partnerships with community-based agencies, policy makers, and other health and social service agencies. Implementation of these interventions has the potential to transform health-care services and systems and improve the quality of life for older adults with multimorbidity and their caregivers.

Co-author:

Markle-Reid, M., Ploeg, J., Valaitis, R., Duggleby, W., Fisher, K., Fraser, K., Ganann, R., Griffith, L., Gruneir, A., McAiney, C., and Williams, A. for the Aging, Community and Health Research Unit Team

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Link to paper

Deliberative Dialogue Issue Brief. Hamilton, ON. 2019.

First Author:

Valaitis, R.K., Ganann, R., Kothari, A., Scurr, T., Orr, E., Murray, N., Agarwal, G., Terry, A.L.

Research Funding:

A full day think tank on strengthening collaboration between public health and primary care was held at Public Health Ontario in Toronto in 2012.

Participants included policy makers, decision-makers, front line practitioners and academics from PC and PH. They represented Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MoHLTC) staff, as well as PC, PH, medical, nursing, and nurse practitioner associations, and national organizations. Dr. Valaitis presented an overview of findings from a program of research on PC and PH collaboration in Ontario, Nova Scotia and British Columbia. MOHLTC PC and PH leaders presented overviews of current ministry directions in relation to PC and PH. Based on the presentations, participants brainstormed actions to increase collaboration. These were separated into high impact actions and short term quick wins. Key messages were developed for policy makers and directors, managers and providers for high impact items.

Lead and Chair:

Valaitis, R.

Research Funding:

• Building Primary Health Care Nursing Leadership to Enhance Collaboration between Primary Health Care and Public Health

More Information:

• Website

The aim of this paper is to examine Canadian key informants’ perceptions of intrapersonal (within an individual) and interpersonal (among individuals) factors that influence successful primary care and public health collaboration

A total of 74 participants [from the provinces of British Columbia (n=20); Ontario (n=19); Nova Scotia (n=21), and representatives from other provinces or national organizations (n=14)] participated. Five interpersonal factors were found that influenced public health and primary care collaborations including: (1) trusting and inclusive relationships; (2) shared values, beliefs and attitudes; (3) role clarity; (4) effective communication; and (5) decision processes. There were two influencing factors found at the intrapersonal level: (1) personal qualities, skills and knowledge; and (2) personal values, beliefs, and attitudes. A few differences were found across the three core provinces involved. There were several complex interactions identified among all inter and intra personal influencing factors: One key factor – effective communication – interacted with all of them. Results support and extend our understanding of what influences successful primary care and public health collaboration at these levels and are important considerations in building and sustaining primary care and public health collaborations.

First Author:

Ruta K Valaitis; Linda O'Mara; Sabrina T. Wong; Marjorie MacDonald; Nancy Murray; Ruth Martin-Misener; Donna Meagher-Stewart

Research Funding:

• Building Primary Health Care Nursing Leadership to Enhance Collaboration between Primary Health Care and Public Health

More Information:

• Link to paper

Final Report to Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF), 2012. ISBN 978-1-927565-02-5.

First Author:

Valaitis, R., MacDonald, M., Martin-Misener, R., Meagher-Stewart, D., O’Mara, L., Wong, S., Akhtar-Danesh, N., Baumann, A., Brauer, P., Burge, F., Green, M., Kaczorowski, J., Savage, R., & the Strengthening Primary Health Care through Public Health and Primary Care Collaboration Team.

Students:

1. Sandra Isaacs
2. Jennifer Nicholl
3. Sally Binks
4. Dr. Judy Burgess

Research Funding:

• Building Primary Health Care Nursing Leadership to Enhance Collaboration between Primary Health Care and Public Health

More Information:

• Link to final report
• Link to program of research website

Although there is a global movement toward health system integration and collaboration, little is known about values, beliefs, and attitudes towards collaboration between stakeholders in public health (i.e. promotion, protection, and prevention with vulnerable groups and/or at the population level) and primary care (i.e., family practices, nurse-led clinics).

Different viewpoints are held by stakeholders around PC and PH collaboration which have the potential to influence the success of collaborations. Understanding and managing these differences is important to assist change management processes required to build and maintain strong PC and PH collaborations.

Co-author:

Akhtar-Danesh, A., Valaitis, R., O’Mara, L., Austin, P., Munroe, V

Research Funding:

• Primary Care and Public Health Collaboration: Synergies, Research Capacity & Knowledge Translation Among Three Teams

More Information:

• Publication

The purpose of this paper is to report: 1) what systemic factors influence collaborations between PC and PH; and 2) how systemic factors interact and could influence collaboration.

We conducted a total of 70 in-depth interviews with 74 participants working in either PC (n = 33) or PH (n = 32), both PC and PH (n = 7), or neither sector (n = 2). Seven systemic factors for collaboration were identified: 1) health service structures that promote collaboration; 2) funding models and financial incentives supporting collaboration; 3) governmental and regulatory policies and mandates for collaboration; 4) power relations; 5) harmonized information and communication infrastructure; 6) targeted professional education; and 7) formal systems leaders as collaborative champions.

Senior Author:

Sabrina T. Wong, Marjorie MacDonald, Ruth Martin-Misener, Donna Meagher-Stewart, Linda O’Mara, and Ruta K. Valaitis

Research Funding:

• Building Primary Health Care Nursing Leadership to Enhance Collaboration between Primary Health Care and Public Health

More Information:

• Link to Paper