Public Health

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 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 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

This article reports on the development and psychometric testing of a learning needs assessment questionnaire related to the Canadian community health nursing Standards of practice.

Professional competencies have been widely used as a basis for the development of learning needs assessment. The Canadian Community Health Nursing Standards of Practices (CCHN Standards) were released in 2003. However, it is not known whether community health nurses (CHNs) have the educational background to enable them to meet these standards. This article reports on the development of a learning needs assessment questionnaire for CHNs. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to examine the consistency of factors underpinning the CCHN Standards. Also, validity and reliability of the questionnaire were evaluated using appropriate techniques. This process resulted in a valid and reliable CHN learning needs assessment questionnaire to measure learning needs of large groups of practitioners, where other forms of measurement cannot be feasibly conducted.

Co-author:

Akhtar-Danesh, N., Valaitis, R., Schofield, R., Underwood, J., Martin-Misener, R., Baumann, A., Kolotylo, C.

Research Funding:

• A Pan-Canadian Survey of Community Health Nurses’ Learning Needs

More Information:

• Publication

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

This systematic review investigated the relationship between early childhood caries (ECC) and breastfeeding.

The systematic review methodology used by the Cochrane Collaboration was modified and adopted for this review. 28 of 151 articles (18.5%) were relevant for the study and were rated as strong (0), moderate (3), weak (9) or very weak (16). Validity scores indicated whether a study met the reviewer's criteria for research rigour. The percentage of studies that received a passing score for each criterion examined were: study design (3.6%), confounders (21%), data collection method (54%), definition of ECC (57%), dental health practices (28%) and infant feeding practices (4%). A lack of methodological consistency related to the study of the association of breastfeeding and ECC, and inconsistent definitions of ECC and breastfeeding, make it difficult to draw conclusions. Moderate articles indicate that breastfeeding for over one year and at night beyond eruption of teeth may be associated with ECC. Due to conflicting findings in less rigorous research studies, no definitive time at which an infant should be weaned was determined, and parents should begin an early and consistent mouth care regime.

First Author :

Valaitis, R., Hesch, R., Passarelli, C., Sheehan, D., Sinton, J.

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

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

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

Few studies to date have explored the relationship between the built environment and physical activity specifically in rural settings. This paper is the result of a Masters thesis project that focused on rural health units' activities to address the built environment aimed at improving physical activity.

The Ontario Public Health Standards policies mandate that health units in Ontario address the built environment; however, it is unclear how public health practitioners are integrating the built environment into public health interventions aimed at improving physical activity in chronic disease prevention programs. Public health interventions, and their evaluations, are complex. Health units who serve large rural populations in Ontario are engaging in numerous activities to address physical activity levels. There is a need to further evaluate the impact of these interventions on population health.

Co-author:

Coghill, C.L., Valaitis, R.K., Eyles, J.D.

Students:

1. Cara-Lee Coghill

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Publication

Canadian Community health nurses (CHNs) work in diverse urban, rural, and remote settings such as: public health units/departments, home health, community health facilities, family practices, and other community-based settings.

Research into specific learning needs of practicing CHNs is sparsely reported. This paper examines Canadian CHNs learning needs in relation to the 2008 Canadian Community Health Nursing Standards of Practice (CCHN Standards). It answers: What are the learning needs of CHNs in Canada in relation to the CCHN Standards? What are differences in CHNs’ learning needs by: province and territory in Canada, work setting (home health, public health and other community health settings) and years of nursing practice? CHN educators and practice leaders need to consider these results in determining where to strengthen content in graduate and undergraduate nursing programs, as well as professional development programs. For practicing CHNs educational content should be tailored based on learner’s years of experience in the community and their employment sector.

First Author:

Valaitis, R.K., Schofield, R., Akhtar-Danesh, N., Baumann, A., Martin-Misener, R., Underwood, J., Isaacs, S.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Publication
• Community Health Nurses of Canada (CHNC)

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

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

To understand how and if information technology (IT) and decision-support systems (DSS) can be effective in detection, management, and communication during a bioterrorist event.

A systematic review was conducted to assess the evidence from peer reviewed evaluations of IT and DSSs for detection, diagnosis, management and communication. In addition, electronic surveillance systems were also evaluated.Rep. No. Evidence Report/ Technology Assessment: Number 59. Publication No. 02-E027). Rockville, MD: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Publications.

Author:

Valaitis, R.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Summary Statement

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 main purpose of the article is to suggest how political science can contribute to public health science, policy and practice. Research about healthy public policies tends to ignore the political. To move forward, the authors propose areas for future collaborative research. Our intent is to clarify and build on the discussion drawing from our years of experience in public health research and practice.

We conclude with a challenge. Gagnon et al present their perspective on how public health can be informed by political science by: (a) an appreciation of the political context of our societies, (b) exploring the functions of public health at various levels of the system, (c) evaluating public health policies, and (d) conducting comparative analyses of regions. We suggest that these topics can remain in the scholarly domain if the goal is to “anchor the analysis of public health policies in political science approaches and tools.” But if political science research wants to claim impact through improvements in the health of the population and decreasing health inequities, the field needs to determine how these high level research objectives can be relevant for local jurisdictions. We have offered some suggestions about how this can be accomplished.

Co-author:

Kothari, A., Valaitis, R., Etches, V., Lefebvre, M., Martell, C., McElhone, S., Sanderson, R., Simmons, L.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Link to paper

Social capital has shown potential for its ability to improve physical and mental health, although findings about social capital’s impact in rural areas have been less promising. The aim of this study was to shed light on how adults in two small towns of rural Ontario experience social capital in their daily lives, and to contribute to the broader literature about the relationship between social capital and rural health.

  The qualitative findings shed light on the experience of social capital and issues of accessing it from the perspective of adults in two rural communities. The social and structural context shaped individuals’ experiences in ways that benefited some community members while marginalizing others. Familiarity, friendliness, and supportive social norms suggest that the rural idyll is not all myth. Yet the structural context left youth and young adults, seniors without transportation, and low-income residents challenged with accessing social capital. Investing in programs and policies that target the structural context may have the greatest impact on rural social capital development and health promotion. The qualitative findings shed light on the experienc e of social capital and issues of accessing it from the perspective of adults in two rur al communities. The soci al and structural context shaped individuals’ experiences in ways that benefited some community members while marginalizing others . Familiarity, friendliness, and supportive social norms suggest that the rural idyll is not all myth. Yet the structural context left youth and young adults , seniors without transportation , and low - income residents challenged with accessing social capital . I nvest ing in programs and policies that target the structural context may have the greatest impact on rural social capital development and health promotion. The qualitative findings shed light on the experienc e of social capital and issues of accessing it from the perspective of adults in two rur al communities. The soci al and structural context shaped individuals’ experiences in ways that benefited some community members while marginalizing others . Familiarity, friendliness, and supportive social norms suggest that the rural idyll is not all myth. Yet the structural context left youth and young adults , seniors without transportation , and low - income residents challenged with accessing social capital . I nvest ing in programs and policies that target the structural context may have the greatest impact on rural social capital development and health promotion. The qualitative findings shed light on the experienc e of social capital and issues of accessing it from the perspective of adults in two rur al communities. The soci al and structural context shaped individuals’ experiences in ways that benefited some community members while marginalizing others . Familiarity, friendliness, and supportive social norms suggest that the rural idyll is not all myth. Yet the structural context left youth and young adults , seniors without transportation , and low - income residents challenged with accessing social capital . I nvest ing in programs and policies that target the structural context may have the greatest impact on rural social capital development and health prom eff of social capital and issues of accessing it from the perspective of adults in two rur al communities. The soci al and structural context shaped individuals’ experiences in ways that benefited some community members while marginalizing others . Familiarity, friendliness, and supportive social norms suggest that the rural idyll is not all myth. Yet the structural context left youth and young adults , seniors without transportation , and low - income residents challenged with accessing social capital . I nvest ing in programs and policies that target the structural context may have the greatest impact on rural social capital development and health promotion.

Senior Author:

Buck-McFadyen, E., Isaacs, S., Strachan, P., Akhtar-Danesh, N., Valaitis, R.

Students:

1. Ellen Buck-McFadyen

Research Funding:

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

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 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

During 2004 - 2007, Dr. Ruta Valaitis was a member of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, E-Health Council for Public Health

E-Health Council for Public Health:

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (Ontario)

From 2006 - 2009, Dr. Ruta Valaitis was a member of the Advisory Committee for the design and development of an Orientation Program for new nurses transitioning into public health careers.

The orientation package was developed with funding from HealthForceOntario through the Nursing Secretariat. The funding was sought through the leadership of Algoma Public Health and Ontario Association of Public Health Nursing Leaders ANDSOOHA: Public Health Nursing Management. The Ontario Association of Public Health Nursing Leaders (OPHNL- formerly known as ANDSOOHA) is a part of the collective voice, shaping and enhancing public health nursing administration and practice.

Algoma Public health and ANDSOOHA:

Simpson, J. L.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Public Health Orientation Toolkit

From 2004 to 2012, Dr. Ruta Valaitis was a member of the CASN Subcommittee for Public Health.

CASN/ACESI (Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing/Association canadienne des écoles de sciences infirmières) is the national voice for nursing education, research, and scholarship and represents baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in Canada. The CASN Subcommittee for Public Health was supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada to support community health nursing education programs to prepare nurses towards the Canadian Community Health Nursing Standards of Practice. 

Canadian Nursing Education Leadership :

CASN-ACESI

Research Funding:

More Information:

• CASN-ACESI

From 2006 - 2009, Dr. Ruta Valaits was a member of the Working Group: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC): Professional Education Working Group- Vaccine Prevention

The Immunization Competenices for Health Professionals was prepared by the Professional Education Working Group of the Canadian Immunization Committee. Approved by the Communicable Disease Control Expert Group and the Pan-Canadian Public Health Network Published by the Public Health Agency of Canada Centre for Immunization and Respiratory Infectious Diseases November 2008

Professional Education Working Group (PHAC):

Public Health Agency of Canada

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Immunization Competencies fro Health Professionals 2008

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)

The purpose of this environmental scan was to support the identification and setting of priorities to guide the launch and development of the National Collaborating Centre for Public Health Methodologies and Tools (NCC: MT). It was conducted on behalf of the Ontario Public Health Research Education and Development (PHRED) program.

Co-author:

Ciliska, D., Clark, K., Thomas, H., Valaitis, R., VanBerkel, C.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Report

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

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• Publication

The Internet is an innovative strategy to increase public participation. It is important to include pregnant and parenting teens' perspectives when planning programs to meet their needs. This qualitative study explored online discussions as a strategy to enhance participation by this population.

Findings showed that online communication was preferred over face-to-face group discussions. Being anonymous online encouraged open and honest feedback. Participants experienced various forms of social support, however, there was an overall lack of teen involvement online. Strategies to engage adolescents in online discussions and reduce barriers are discussed. Strategies included the use of teen moderators, home computer access, technical support, and engagement in naturally flowing online discussions to meet social support needs. Blending researchers' with teens' needs for social support in an online environment is encouraged. With careful planning and design, online communications can result in mutual benefits for researchers, service providers, and pregnant and parenting adolescents.

First Author:

Valaitis R., Sword, W.

Research Funding:

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

The purpose of this second phase of the study was to identify current practice activities of CHNs across all Canadian Provinces and Territories and to measure their continuing education needs in relation to the CCHN Standards.

The results of this pan-Canadian survey will inform the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the Community Health Nurses Association of Canada, community health nursing employers, and others who are involved in continuing education program development in order to build capacity in the community health nursing workforce in Canada. The 2009 report outlines methods, results, the development of an online version of the survey, implications for practice and research, limitations and conclusions.

Co-author:

Schofield, R., Valaitis, R., Ahktar-Danesh, N., Baumann, A., Martin-Misener, R., Underwood, J.

Research Funding:

• A Pan-Canadian Survey of Community Health Nurses’ Learning Needs

More Information:

• Report

The Canadian Schools of Nursing (CASN) Task Force on Public Health was mandated to facilitate Schools of Nursing to provide students with the foundation required to meet the Canadian Community Health Nursing Standards of Practice. As a member of this Task Force Dr. Valaitis led this paper which reports on an environmental scan that explored barriers and enablers influencing the integration of community health nursing content in baccalaureate education in Canada.

Data was collected over three phases including: 1) a pan-Canadian survey of nursing schools, 2) completion of open-ended workbook questions by educators, policy makers, administrators, and community health nursing managers attending a pan-Canadian symposium on community health nursing, and 3) recorded notes from the symposium. The response rate for the survey was 72.5% (n = 61 schools) and approximately 125 stakeholders participated in symposium activities. Internal and external enablers and challenges as well as recommendations for practice and education are presented.

First Author:

Valaitis, R., Rajsic, C., Cohen, B., Stamler, L., Meagher-Stewart, D., Froude, S.

Research Funding:

• A Pan-Canadian Survey of Community Health Nursing Content Taught in Schools of Nursing: Are We Preparing Students for the New Standards of Practice

More Information:

• Publication
• Community Health Nurses of Canada (CHNC)

Report to the WHO, Series Number 16, March 2009. Primary health care (PHC) is a philosophy and an educational practice approach. Nursing is one of the key services for the delivery of PHC. The purpose of this background paper is to examine PHC education for nurses in the globalized world.

A case study approach is used to provide information about PHC education. The paper will define and describe PHC, nursing education in Canada and curriculum development. Challenges will be discussed and a policy framework will be provided. In addition, recommendations specific to PHC nursing education will be made.

Co-author:

Baumann, A., Valaitis, R., Kaba, A.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Report

The use of mobile computing in healthcare practice has grown substantially in recent years, yet little is known about its impact.This descriptive, exploratory, qualitative study explored the perceptions of public health nurses (PHNs) in a school health program about their use of mobile computing.

This descriptive, exploratory, qualitative study explored the perceptions of public health nurses (PHNs) in a school health program about their use of MC. Public health nurses participated in focus group interviews and completed weekly reflections. They perceived that MC (a) increased PHNs' flexibility although they were constrained by work rules, (b) increased peer and employer connectedness yet increased isolation, (c) and increased PHNs' status while creating a wider gap between PHNs and their clients. Public health nurses described their practice as being more efficient and client-focused with MC. Over time, PHNs grew more comfortable with the tool, developed a dependence on it, and learned to deal with technological problems. Although this new technology shows promise, there is a need for further research to examine its impact as a tool to promote public health nursing practice.

First Author:

Valaitis, R., O’Mara, L.

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Publication

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

This paper reports on the quantitative phase of a sequential explanatory mixed methods study using data from Canada's 2013 General Social Survey (data collected 2013–14) to explore mechanisms that link social capital and health..

The concept of social capital shows great promise for its potential to influence individual and population health. Yet challenges persist in defining and measuring social capital, and little is known about the mechanisms that link social capital and health. This paper reports on the quantitative phase of a sequential explanatory mixed methods study using data from Canada's 2013 General Social Survey (data collected 2013–14). An exploratory factor analysis revealed six underlying dimensions of social capital for 7,187 adults living in Ontario, Canada. These factors included trust in people, neighbourhood social capital, trust in institutions, sense of belonging, civic engagement, and social network size. A logistic regression indicated that having high Trust in People and Trust in Institutions were associated with better mental health while high Trust in Institutions, Sense of Belonging, and Civic Engagement were associated with better physical health. When comparing rural and urban residents, there were no differences in their self‐reported health, nor did social capital influence their health any differently, despite rural residents having higher social capital scores. The study findings are important for understanding the nature of social capital and how it influences health, and provide direction for targeted health promotion strategies.

Senior Author:

Elen Buck McFayden, Akhtar‐Danesh Sandy Isaacs Beverly Leipert Patricia Strachan and Ruta Valaitis

Students:

1. Ellen Buck-McFadyen

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Link to Paper

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

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

There is a growing emphasis in public health on the importance of evidence-based interventions to improve population health and reduce health inequities.

A gap remains between the development of evidence-based public health interventions and their successful implementation. Conventional systematic reviews have been conducted on effective implementation in health care, but few in public health, so their relevance to public health is unclear. In most reviews, stringent inclusion criteria have excluded entire bodies of evidence that may be relevant for policy makers, program planners, and practitioners to understand implementation in the unique public health context. Realist synthesis is a theory-driven methodology that draws on diverse data from different study designs to explain how and why observed outcomes occur in different contexts and thus may be more appropriate for public health. Canadian Institutes for Health Research ($100,000) http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/

Co-author:

MacDonald, M., Pauly, B., Wong, G., Schick-Makaroff, K., van Roode, T., Wilson Strosher, H., Kothari, A., Valaitis, R., Manson, H., O’Briain, W., Carroll, S., Lee, V., Tong, S., Dickenson Smith, K., Ward, M.

Research Funding:

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

More Information:

• Publication

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

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

A technical report commissioned by the Public Health Agency of Canada to inform the 2014 Chief Public Health Officer’s (CPHO) Report on the State of Public Health in Canada.

First Author:

Valaitis, R. K., Hunter, D., Lam, A., Murray, N., Spark, R. & Valaitis R. F.

Students:

1. Danielle Hunter
2. Rebecca Spark

Research Funding:

• Literature Review: In What Ways and How Effectively is Technology Being Used to Support Health Behaviour Change

More Information:

• A technical report commissioned by the Public Health Agency of Canada

We used a qualitative descriptive approach to explore and describe the situated experiences of socioeconomically disadvantaged (SED) postpartum women in the first 4 weeks after hospital discharge. This works informs public health nurses providing care to this population.

Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data from in-depth interviews with 24 SED postpartum women. Two intertwining, overarching themes emerged: (a) the ongoing burden of their day-to-day lives, with subthemes of poverty and material deprivation, stigmatization through living publicly examined lives, and precarious social support; and (b) the ongoing struggles to adjust to changes that came with the baby's arrival, with subthemes of "the first weeks were hard," "feeling out of control," "absence of help at home," "complex relationship with the baby's father," and "health and well-being." Knowledge of SED women's situated experiences is vital to the development of health policies and services that will truly meet their needs.

Co-author:

Kurtz Landy, C., Sword, W., Valaitis, R.

Students:

1. Christine Kurtz-Landy

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Publication

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

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

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

This two-part field study compared researchers’ recorded observations to mothers’ perceptions of attention they received while publicly breastfeeding.

In part 1, four breastfeeding and four bottle-feeding mothers each made eight restaurant visits. On average, there were more neutral looks from customers (P = .01) during breastfeeding visits, but no differences in the amount of overtly negative or positive attention given during breastfeeding versus bottle feeding. In part 2, four breastfeeding mothers made a total of 24 visits to shopping malls. There were more neutral looks given while mothers were breastfeeding and more smiles and comments while they were not feeding, but no difference in total amount of attention received. Breastfeeding mothers acknowledged they had anticipated some undesirable attention but instead received little attention. Nevertheless, they felt “vulnerable” nursing in public. Certain proactive behaviors and personal attributes as well as support from other women enabled them to breastfeed successfully in public.

Co-Author:

Sheeshka, J., Potter, B., Norrie, E., Valaitis, R., Adams, G., Kuczynski, L.

Students:

1. Beth Potter

Research Funding:

More Information:

• Publication