Public Participation

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

Youth are often disenfranchised in their communities and may feel they have little voice. Since computers are an important aspect of youth culture, they may offer solutions to increasing youth participation in communities. This study involved public health nurses to support the school-based community development project.

This qualitative case study investigated the perceptions of 19 (predominantly female) inner-city school youth about their use of computers and the Internet in a school-based community development project. Overall, youth perceived computers and the Internet to be empowering tools, and they should be encouraged to use such technology to support them in community initiatives related to health promotion.

Author:

Valaitis, R.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Publication

The purpose of this study was to conduct a scoping review of current practices and recommendations for designing, implementing, and evaluating mHealth technologies to support the management of chronic conditions in community-dwelling older adults.

There is limited yet increasing use of mHealth technologies in home health care for older adults. A user-centered, collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to enhance feasibility, acceptability, and usability of mHealth innovations is imperative. Creating teams with the required pools of expertise and insight regarding needs is critical. The cyclical, iterative process of developing mHealth innovations needs to be viewed as a whole with supportive theoretical frameworks. Many barriers to implementation and sustainability have limited the number of successful, evidence-based mHealth solutions beyond the pilot or feasibility stage. The science of implementation of mHealth technologies in home-based care for older adults and self-management of chronic conditions are important areas for further research. Additionally, changing needs as cohorts and technologies advance are important considerations. Lessons learned from the data and important implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed to inform the future development of innovations.

Co-author:

Matthew-Maich, N., Harris, L., Ploeg, J., Markle-Reid, M., Valaitis, R., Ibrahim, S., Gafni, A., & Isaacs, S.

Students:

1. Sandra Isaacs

Research Funding:

• Centre for Research in Community Interventions to Promote Optimal Aging at Home

More Information:

• Publication
• Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Health System Research Fund ($445,194)

Schools are a main setting for health promotion for youth. A one year qualitative case study was undertaken in an inner-city, Canadian school. It explored factors that enabled and constrained youth in the process of a school-based computer-supported community development (CD) project. This paper reports on Dr. Ruta Valaitis' PhD thesis results.

Nineteen grade seven and eight students worked with four adult facilitators for 12 weeks. They completed a community assessment, planned and implemented actions to improve their school environment. Data were collected by: youth and adult interviews, participant observation, content analysis of online postings and two surveys. Constant comparison and triangulation from various data sources and methods were used to verify themes. Themes were categorized as intrinsic or extrinsic enabling and constraining factors. Intrinsic enabling factors were youth' s perceptions that they were making a difference, and feeling recognized for and having ownership of their work. Extrinsic enabling factors included flexibility inyouth's choice of activities, supportive adults and community members and the use of incentives. Intrinsic constraining factors were the perceived slow pace of the CD process, and difficulties in getting group consensus/decision-making. Extrinsic constraining factors included: school disruptions and schedules, a lack of 'buy-in' from teachers and parents, and resource demands-people and computers. Relationships between these factors are noted. Research and practice implications regarding school-based CD to promote youth resiliency are discussed.

First Author:

Valaitis, R., O’Mara, L.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Publication

The purpose of this paper is to explore how a modified approach to the persona-scenario method was used to co-design a complex primary health care intervention (Health TAPESTRY) by and for older adults and providers and the value added of this approach.

The persona-scenario method drew out feasible novel ideas from stakeholders, which expanded on the research team’s original ideas and highlighted interactions among components and stakeholder groups. Many ideas were integrated into the Health TAPESTRY program’s design and implementation. Persona-scenario method added significant value worthy of the added time it required. This method presents a promising alternative to active engagement of multiple stakeholders in the co-design of complex interventions.

First Author:

Ruta Valaitis, Jennifer Longaphy, Jenny Ploeg, Gina Agarwal, Doug Oliver, Kalpana Nair, Monika Kastner, Ernie Avilla, Lisa Dolovich

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Publication

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

he objective of this graduate student's study was to examine how researchers can best engage and support older adults with multimorbidity and informal friend or family caregivers of older adults with multimorbidity as research partners in health care research teams.

It is widely recognized that the engagement of older adults with multimorbidity and their caregivers as partners in health care research is important and invaluable. The objective of this study was to examine how researchers can best engage and support older adults with multimorbidity and informal friend or family caregivers of older adults with multimorbidity as research partners in health care research teams. The persona-scenario method was used for participants to create fictional stories. These stories were analyzed to shed light on specific strategies that can support older adults and caregivers as partners on health care research teams, such as a patient-centered approach, identifying and addressing barriers to engagement, and clarifying roles and responsibilities on the research team. The results from this study can be used to inform research, policy, and education on supporting older adults with multimorbidity and caregivers of older adults with multimorbidity as research partners.

Co-Author:

Kristina Chang; Maureen Markle-Reid, Ruta Valaitis, Carrie McAiney, Nancy Carter

Students:

1. Kristina Chang

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Link

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:

This was a CD-ROM program designed to teach community health nursing students and other professionals about the process of community action. It focused on the principles of primary health care, community assessment and community development. Child pedestrian injury prevention was the main issue addressed in this programme

This was a joint project of the Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University and the Hamilton-Wentworth Social and Public Health Services Division, a Teaching Health Unit affiliated with McMaster University and the University of Guelph.  It was presented at the 2nd Annual Conference on Community Health Nursing Research at Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom. The CD-ROM was distributed internationally by the Canadian Public Health Association for a over 5 years. 

Lead:

Valaitis, R., Chambers, L., Cole, D., Ehrlich, A., O'Mara, L., and VanBerkel, C.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Website

This article describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of an interdisciplinary undergraduate course embedded within a campus–community partnership initiative involving McMaster University School of Nursing, and three urban priority neighborhoods in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The experiential course focuses on building knowledge and skills in community participation and community improvements for health and continues to be offered today. This primary health care collaboration between the campus and three Hamilton neighbourhoods was led by Dr. Valaitis and supported by the Health in the Hubs team.

Students worked together with community residents and faculty to address selected priority community issues identified by neighborhood members. Using the qualitative interpretive description method, the evaluation explored different partners’ (students, community residents, and faculty) perceptions of the course (SWOT analysis: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, as well as outcomes) as a community engagement and knowledge exchange intervention. Results provide lessons learned and recommendations for future campus–community engaged courses that can be transferred to similar contexts.

First Author:

Ruta Valaitis,Olive Wahoush, Nancy Murray, Sandy Isaacs, David Derbyshire, Dyanne Semogas, and Steven Rolfe

Research Funding:

• Street Smarts Book Smarts: Evaluation of a Knowledge Exchange Intervention (Health in the Hub Phase 2)

More Information:

• Publication

Tailoring Online Health Promotion: A Toolkit for Communities has been produced to share our learning and experiences in working to build a health promotion web site (www.youthspark.ca) to meet local needs by and for rural youth in Huron County, Ontario Canada. The Toolkit is loosely organized according to the phases of project development that we experienced in the YouthSpark project.

Our project included an evaluation component, which helped us identify factors that enabled and hindered the process of creating, maintaining and sustaining the project. This Toolkit contains a compilation of our learning as a result of the evaluation and is presented using a step-by-step approach from the initial stages of developing a vision for the project, implementation, marketing, evaluation and sustainability. We used a participatory approach with our work with youth, which is reflected throughout this Toolkit. We believe this approach is essential for any successful youth-centred program. Produced by Huron Country Health Unit and McMaster University, School of Nursing. http://fhs.mcmaster.ca/OHPToolkit/index.html. 

First Author:

Valaitis, R., O’Mara, L., Bezaire, S.

Research Funding:

• SPARK Youth Website Initiative

More Information:

• Website

Tailoring Online Health Promotion: A Toolkit for Communities: This toolkit was produced based on our experience and evaluation of working with public health staff and youth in a rural community to build a health promotion website for youth by youth.

This Toolkit contains a compilation of our learning as a result of the evaluation and is presented using a step-by-step approach from the initial stages of developing a vision for the project, implementation, marketing, evaluation and sustainability.

Lead:

Ruta Valaitis, Linda O'Mara, Sherri Bezaire, Erica Horbaniuk, and Brian Gould

Research Funding:

• SPARK Youth Website Initiative

More Information:

• Tailoring Online Health Promotion: A Toolkit for Communities

The cornerstones of health promotion are the concepts of empowerment and community participation. There has been little research, however, on how these concepts are actualized within a youth population and even less from a gender perspective.

Three subthemes explain threats to empowerment: "grown-ups run everything" (they had no actual decision-making power), "we're just kids" (they were low in the social hierarchy), and "they don't trust us" (they felt mutual mistrust of and by adults). Boys showed some evidence of feeling more empowered than girls. Boys and girls identified that they perceived they could make a difference, particularly in their school. Five themes of empowerment help to explain this perception, including, "adults who know us, trust us" (they were trusted by some adults), in school "they ask us what should we do" (they had some participation in decision making), "we can make a difference" (they felt self-efficacy), "we can do it as a group" (they had a belief in group action), and they could "get someone big so they would listen" (they demonstrated political efficacy). Implications for community health practitioners are discussed.

First Author:

Valaitis, R.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Publication