Browsing by Author "Abbasi, Marjan"

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    A cross-sectional study examining convergent validity of a frailty index based on electronic medical records in a Canadian primary care program
    (2019-04-16) Abbasi, Marjan; Khera, Sheny; Dabravolskaj, Julia; Vandermeer, Ben; Theou, Olga; Rolfson, Darryl; Clegg, Andrew
    Abstract Background An electronic frailty index (eFI) has been developed and validated in the UK; it uses data from primary care electronic medical records (EMR) for effective frailty case-finding in primary care. This project examined the convergent validity of the eFI from Canadian primary care EMR data with a validated frailty index based on comprehensive geriatric assessment (FI-CGA), in order to understand its potential use in the Canadian context. Methods A cross-sectional validation study, using data from an integrated primary care research program for seniors living with frailty in Edmonton, AB. Eighty-five patients 65 years of age and older from six primary care physicians’ practices were recruited. Patients were excluded if they were under 65 years of age, did not provide consent to participate in the program, or were living in a long term care facility at the time of enrolment. We used scatter plots to assess linearity and Pearson correlation coefficients to examine correlations. Results Results indicate a strong statistically significant correlation between the eFI and FI-CGA (r = 0.72, 95% CI 0.60–0.81, p < 0.001). A simple linear regression showed good ability of the eFI scores to predict FI-CGA scores (F (1,83) = 89.06, p < .0001, R2 = 0.51). Both indices were also correlated with age, number of chronic conditions and number of medications. Conclusions The study findings support the convergent validity of the eFI, which further justifies implementation of a case-finding tool that uses routinely collected primary care data in the Canadian context.
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    Correction to: A cross-sectional study examining convergent validity of a frailty index based on electronic medical records in a Canadian primary care program
    (2019-05-13) Abbasi, Marjan; Khera, Sheny; Dabravolskaj, Julia; Vandermeer, Ben; Theou, Olga; Rolfson, Darryl; Clegg, Andrew
    Following the publication of this article [1], the authors reported a typesetting error in the “Results” section.
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    Integrating Spirituality as a Key Component of Patient Care
    (2015) Sinclair, Shane; Bremault-Phillips, Suzette; Olson, Joanne; Brett-MacLean, Pamela; Oneschuk, Doreen; Magnus, Ralph; Weis, Jeanne; Abbasi, Marjan; Parmar, Jasneet; Puchalski, Christina
    Patient care frequently focuses on physical aspects of disease management, with variable attention given to spiritual needs. And yet, patients indicate that spiritual suffering adds to distress associated with illness. Spirituality, broadly defined as that which gives meaning and purpose to a person’s life and connectedness to the significant or sacred, often becomes a central issue for patients. Growing evidence demonstrates that spirituality is important in patient care. Yet healthcare professionals (HCPs) do not always feel prepared to engage with patients about spiritual issues. In this project, HCPs attended an educational session focused on using the FICA Spiritual History Tool to integrate spirituality into patient care. Later, they incorporated the tool when caring for patients participating in the study. This research (1) explored the value of including spiritual history taking in clinical practice; (2) identified facilitators and barriers to incorporating spirituality into person-centred care; and (3) determined ways in which HCPs can effectively utilize spiritual history taking. Data were collected using focus groups and chart reviews. Findings indicate positive impacts at organizational, clinical/unit, professional/personal and patient levels when HCPs include spirituality in patient care. Recommendations are offered.