Knowledge Translation

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 Executive Steering Committee for the Standards Modernization reports to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) provides overall strategic leadership and guidance on the review of the Standards Modernization with a goal to strengthen and enhance accountability and transparency within the public health system. Dr. Valaitis is an invited member of this committee which meets monthly which is guiding revisions to the Ontatio Public Health Standards 2008.

Executive Steering Committee member:

Butler-Jones, D., Williams, D. (Co-Chairs) Barrett, M., Christensen, B., Cushman, R., Donnelly, P., Fu, K., Hill, J., Jacek, M., Kyle, R., Manson-Smith, K., McKeown, D., Sturtevant, D., Valaitis, R.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Standards Modernization Executive Steering Committee
• Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) Website

The purpose of this study was to describe trends in the number, types, and themes of infant feeding messages presented in a nationally distributed (monthly) Canadian women's magazine from 1945 to 1995.

Content analysis was used, with one researcher photocopying and coding all relevant items. The sample (n = 1082) included all messages related to infant feeding appearing in the magazine. Messages were coded according to sources (e.g., advertisement, article) and themes. Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory was used to explore their relationship with infant feeding behavior. Data were analyzed using frequencies and averages and presented graphically.The majority (n = 666,62%) of messages were advertisements. There were only 32 infant feeding articles (3%); the remaining 384 items (35%) were portions of articles or editorial and health columns. The total number of messages declined over time. Trends in message themes (favoring breastfeeding, neutral, favoring bottle feeding) and in the number of advertisements were roughly comparable to breastfeeding initiation rates.These media messages may have been influencing behavior or merely reflecting societal values; further analyses of print media nutrition messages can provide insight into these relationships. Dietitians and nutritionists should consider using the popular media as a vehicle for nutrition education.

Co-author:

Potter, B., Sheeshka, J., Valaitis, R.

Students:

1. Beth Potter

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Publication

A technical report commissioned by the Canadian Nurses Association, 1-116, 2014. This report summarizes the issues and policy options and will inform CNA’s future role and strategies for advancing a pan-Canadian primary care framework that optimizes the role of registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice nurses in primary care interprofessional teams.

Research, practice, education and policy information and input from key stakeholders relevant to nursing roles in the delivery of primary care services from national, provincial and territorial perspectives were synthesized to provide policy guidance and actionable recommendations. The key components of this project included a scoping literature review and key informant interviews with nurses and other stakeholders.

Co-author:

Martin-Misener R, Bryant-Lukosius D, Bullard C, Campbell D, Carter N, Donald F, Kilpatrick K, McKinlay J, Parks C, Sherifali D, Tranmer, J, Valaitis, R. Viscardi V., Yuille L.P.

Research Funding:

• Advancing a pan-Canadian primary care framework: optimizing the role of Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners.

More Information:

• Final Report

In 2010 -2015, Dr. Ruta Valaitis became an Affiliate Network Member, Primary Health Care System (PHCS).

The lead for the Primary Health Care System (PHCS) Network was the Dr. Moira Stewart, University of Western Ontario.

Primary Health Care System :

Primary Health Care System (PHCS) Network

Research Funding:

More Information:

• System Integration & Innovation Research Network

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 scoping review was conducted in advance of our design and build of a mobile health app to support an interprofessional nurse-led team approach in the delivery of community-based stroke rehabilitation in home care.

We systematically mapped the breadth of research related to three topic areas: mobile and electronic devices, technology based healthcare delivery, and aging populations and/or chronic conditions. From the research question “What are the current practices and recommendations for designing, implementing and evaluating mHealth solutions to support older adults living in their homes?” we identified 42 studies. Report to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, February 2016. To ensure success, a user-centered, collaborative, interdisciplinary and iterative approach is imperative to enhance feasibility, acceptability and usability of mHealth innovations. Implementation within systems or organizations requires a thorough understanding of culture, values and context readiness from researchers.

First Author:

Valaitis, R., Markle-Reid, M., Kelly Stradiotto, C., Archer, N., Bender, D., Brown, P., Chambers, T., Chang, K., Hillmer, M., Karimi, R., Kennedy, L., Magwood-Tye, R., Matthew-Maich, N., Murray, N., Ploeg, J., Taberner, C.

Students:

1. Kristina Chang
2. Rojin Karimi

Research Funding:

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

This review sought to answer the question: what is the use, nature and impact of electronic support groups in the prevention and promotion of health?

The findings indicate that social support can be successfully provided via a computer-mediated communication medium to support a broad range of populations and health conditions.

First Author:

Valaitis, R. Ciliska, D.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Website
• Report

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.

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.

First Author:

Valaitis, R., O’Mara, L., Bezaire, S., Savage R.

Research Funding:

• SPARK Youth Website Initiative

More Information:

• Report
• Website

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

Prepared by the Professional Education Working Group of the Canadian Immunization Committee, Public Health Agency of Canada. The aim of this handbook is to promote safe and competent practices to achieve higher vaccine coverage rates. This effort will enable and maintain the highest possible degree of community protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.

The competencies range from knowledge of the scientific basis of immunization to essential immunization practices and contextual issues relevant to immunization. Each competency is supported by a learning domain and a number of guiding learning objectives.

First Author:

Valaitis, R., Appleton, M., Cantin, L., Dumaresq, G., Duval, B., Farley, C., Gemmill, I., Grenier, D., Griffin, P., Halperin, B., Henteleff, A., Johnston, J., Law, B., Leeseberg Stamler, L., Loewen, J., Marra, F., Mayotte, S., McConnery, C., NcNeil, S., Millette, J., Page, L., Parker, J., et al.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Report

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

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

Expert advisory committee member of Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-term Care’s “Optimization of the Nursing Workforce Working Group” for the Nursing Secretariat reporting to the Joint Provincial Nursing Council (JPNC).

The Optimization of the Nursing Workforce Working Group, which is a working group of the Joint Provincial Nursing Committee (JPNC).  This group systematically explored opportunities to optimize the home health-care nursing workforce and presented a report to JPNC. 

Committee member :

Ministry of Health and Long-term Care: Joint Provincial Nursing Council Sub-committee

Students:

1. Dr. Rebecca Ganann

Research Funding:

From 2005 – 2011, Dr. Ruta Valaitis was a member of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario’s e-Health Advisory Committee

The RNAO Nursing and e-Health, which is funded by e-Health Ontario, is to facilitate the nursing profession’s involvement in the Ontario e-Health agenda and to support nurses to take a leadership role in the design, implementation, adoption and sustainability of integrated digital health systems (e.g. electronic medical records) in all health-care sectors and schools of nursing in Ontario.

e-Health & Technology:

RNAO

Research Funding:

More Information:

• RNAO e-Health Advisory Committee

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

This paper explores policy implementation in two exemplar public health programs -chronic disease prevention and sexually-transmitted infection prevention - in Ontario, Canada. It examines public health service providers’, managers’ and senior managements’ perspectives on the process of implementation of the Ontario Public Health Standards 2008 and factors influencing implementation.

Multiple factors influenced public health policy implementation. Results provide empirical support for components of Greenhalgh et al’s framework and suggest two additional components – the role of external organizational collaborations and partnerships as well as planning processes in influencing implementation. These are important to consider by government and public health organizations when promoting new or revised public health policies as they evolve over time. A successful policy implementation process in Ontario has helped to move public health towards the new vision.

First author:

Valaitis, R., MacDonald, M., Kothari, A., O’Mara, L., Regan, S., Garcia, J., Murray, N., Manson, H., Peroff-Johnston, N., Bursey, G., Boyko, J.

Research Funding:

• Supporting Successful Implementation of Public Health Interventions: A Realist Synthesis

More Information:

• Publication
• CIHR Team in Public Health Services Renewal. Canadian Institutes for Health Research ($1,471,250)

This study explored community health nurses' viewpoints about a Canadian online community of practice to support their practice with homeless or under-housed populations.

Generally, nurses viewed the community of practice as a place to share stories, validate practice and adapt best practices to their work context. Online communities of practice can be valuable to nurses in specialized fields with limited peer support and access to information resources. Tacit knowledge development is important to nurses working with homeless populations: this needs to be valued in conjunction with scientifically based knowledge.

First Author:

Valaitis, R., Akhtar-Danesh, N., Brooks, F., Binks, S., Semogas, D.

Research Funding:

• Creating a Virtual Community of Practice for Street Nursing

More Information:

• Publication

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

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 Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion’s (MHP) goal is to improve the health and well-being of Ontarians and to help contribute to the sustainability of our publicly funded health care system. MHP is moving forward to achieve its vision of “healthy communities working together and Ontarians leading healthy and active lives.” MHP will achieve this vision by focusing on several core goals and priorities including the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy.

Tobacco use continues to be a major public health issue in Ontario, The secretariat team for the Smoke-Free Ontario Scientific Advisory Committee (SFO-SAC) has joined Public Health Ontario (PHO). The SFO-SAC brings together scientific experts in the tobacco control field from Ontario and around the world to provide scientific and technical advice to the Ministry of Health Promotion on the renewal of the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy.

Scientific Committee Working Group:

Public Health Ontario Smoke-Free Ontario Scientific Committee Working Group

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Public Health Ontario Smoke Free Documents
• Final SFO-SAC report

Public Health Systems Research (PHSR) is an emerging field of research that is gaining importance in Canada. On October 22 and 23, 2012, public health researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers came together at the Accelerating Public Health Systems Research in Ontario: Building an Agenda think tank to develop a research agenda for the province.

This agenda included the identification of the six top priorities for research in Ontario: public health performance, evidence-based practice, public health organization and structure, public health human resources, public health infrastructure, and partnerships/linkages.  This paper explores the priorities in detail and hopes to bring more attention to this area of research.

Co-author:

Kothari, A., Regan, S., Goore, D., Valaitis, R., Garcia, J., Manson, H., O’Mara, L.

Research Funding:

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

More Information:

• Publication