Browsing by Author "Kaasalainen, Sharon"

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    A pilot evaluation of the Strengthening a Palliative Approach in Long-Term Care (SPA-LTC) program
    (2020-07-13) Kaasalainen, Sharon; Sussman, Tamara; Thompson, Genevieve; McCleary, Lynn; Hunter, Paulette V; Venturato, Lorraine; Wickson-Griffiths, Abigail; Ploeg, Jenny; Parker, Deborah; Sinclair, Shane; Dal Bello-Haas, Vanina; Earl, Marie; You, John J.
    Abstract Background Despite increased annual mortality in long-term care (LTC) homes, research has shown that care of dying residents and their families is currently suboptimal in these settings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate resident and family outcomes associated with the Strengthening a Palliative Approach in LTC (SPA-LTC) program, developed to help encourage meaningful end of life discussions and planning. Methods The study employs a mixed method design in four LTC homes across Southern Ontario. Data were collected from residents and families of the LTC homes through chart reviews, interviews, and focus groups. Interviews with family who attended a Palliative Care Conference included both closed-ended and open-ended questions. Results In total, 39 residents/families agreed to participate in the study. Positive intervention outcomes included a reduction in the proportion of emergency department use at end of life and hospital deaths for those participating in SPA-LTC, improved support for families, and increased family involvement in the care of residents. For families who attended a Palliative Care Conference, both quantitative and qualitative findings revealed that families benefited from attending them. Residents stated that they appreciated learning about a palliative approach to care and being informed about their current status. Conclusions The benefits of SPA-LTC for residents and families justify its continued use within LTC. Study results also suggest that certain enhancements of the program could further promote future integration of best practices within a palliative approach to care within the LTC context. However, the generalizability of these results across LTC homes in different regions and countries is limited given the small sample size.
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    A Systematic Review of the Cost-Effectiveness of Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists: What Is the Quality of the Evidence?
    (2014-09-01) Donald, Faith; Kilpatrick, Kelley; Reid, Kim; Carter, Nancy; Martin-Misener, Ruth; Bryant-Lukosius, Denise; Harbman, Patricia; Kaasalainen, Sharon; Marshall, Deborah A.; Charbonneau-Smith, Renee; Donald, Erin E.; Lloyd, Monique; Wickson-Griffiths, Abigail; Yost, Jennifer; Baxter, Pamela; Sangster-Gormley, Esther; Hubley, Pamela; Laflamme, Célyne; Campbell–Yeo, Marsha; Price, Sheri; Boyko, Jennifer; DiCenso, Alba
    Background. Improved quality of care and control of healthcare costs are important factors influencing decisions to implement nurse practitioner (NP) and clinical nurse specialist (CNS) roles. Objective. To assess the quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating NP and CNS cost-effectiveness (defined broadly to also include studies measuring health resource utilization). Design. Systematic review of RCTs of NP and CNS cost-effectiveness reported between 1980 and July 2012. Results. 4,397 unique records were reviewed. We included 43 RCTs in six groupings, NP-outpatient (), NP-transition (), NP-inpatient (), CNS-outpatient (), CNS-transition (), and CNS-inpatient (). Internal validity was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool; 18 (42%) studies were at low, 17 (39%) were at moderate, and eight (19%) at high risk of bias. Few studies included detailed descriptions of the education, experience, or role of the NPs or CNSs, affecting external validity. Conclusions. We identified 43 RCTs evaluating the cost-effectiveness of NPs and CNSs using criteria that meet current definitions of the roles. Almost half the RCTs were at low risk of bias. Incomplete reporting of study methods and lack of details about NP or CNS education, experience, and role create challenges in consolidating the evidence of the cost-effectiveness of these roles.
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    Meaningful connections in dementia end of life care in long term care homes
    (2018-09-24) McCleary, Lynn; Thompson, Genevieve N; Venturato, Lorraine; Wickson-Griffiths, Abigail; Hunter, Paulette; Sussman, Tamara; Kaasalainen, Sharon
    Abstract Background Most persons with dementia die in long term care (LTC) homes, where palliative approaches are appropriate. However, palliative approaches have not been widely implemented and there is limited understanding of staff and family experiences of dying and bereavement in this context. Method This descriptive qualitative study explored family and staff experiences of end of life and end of life care for persons with dementia in LTC homes. Eighteen focus groups were conducted with 77 staff members and 19 relatives of persons with dementia at four LTC homes in four Canadian provinces. Results Three themes emerged: knowing the resident, the understanding that they are all human beings, and the long slow decline and death of residents with dementia. Discussion Intimate knowledge of the person with dementia, obtained through longstanding relationships, was foundational for person-centred end of life care. Health care aides need to be included in end of life care planning to take advantage of their knowledge of residents with dementia. There were unmet bereavement support needs among staff, particularly health care aides. Persons with dementia were affected by death around them and existing rituals for marking deaths in LTC homes may not fit their needs. Staff were uncomfortable answering relatives’ questions about end of life. Conclusions Longstanding intimate relationships enhanced end of life care but left health care aides with unmet bereavement support needs. Staff in LTC homes should be supported to answer questions about the trajectory of decline of dementia and death. Further research about residents’ experiences of deaths of other residents is needed.
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    Mixed-methods single-arm repeated measures study evaluating the feasibility of a web-based intervention to support family carers of persons with dementia in long-term care facilities
    (2018-10-31) Duggleby, Wendy; Jovel Ruiz, Kathya; Ploeg, Jenny; McAiney, Carrie; Peacock, Shelley; Nekolaichuk, Cheryl; Holroyd-Leduc, Jayna; Ghosh, Sunita; Brazil, Kevin; Swindle, Jennifer; Forbes, Dorothy; Woodhead Lyons, Sandra; Parmar, Jasneet; Kaasalainen, Sharon; Cottrell, Laura; Paragg, Jillian
    Abstract Background Following institutionalization of a relative with Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD), family carers continue to provide care. They must learn to negotiate with staff and navigate the system all of which can affect their mental health. A web-based intervention, My Tools 4 Care-In Care (MT4C-In Care) was developed by the research team to aid carers through the transitions experienced when their relative/friend with ADRD resides in a long-term care (LTC) facility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate MT4C-In Care for feasibility, acceptability, ease of use, and satisfaction, along with its potential to help decrease carer’s feelings of grief and improve their hope, general self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life. Methods The study was a mixed-methods single-arm repeated measures feasibility study. Participants accessed MT4C-In Care over a 2-month period. Data were collected at baseline and 1 and 2 months. Using a checklist, participants evaluated MT4C-In Care for ease of use, feasibility, acceptability, and satisfaction. Measures were also used to assess the effectiveness of the MT4C-In Care in improving hope (Herth Hope Index), general self-efficacy (GSES), loss and grief (NDRGEI), and health-related quality of life (SF12v2) of participants. Qualitative data were collected at 2 months and informed quantitative findings. Results The majority of the 37 participants were female (65%; 24/37), married (73%; 27/37), and had a mean age of 63.24 years (SD = 11.68). Participants reported that MT4C-In Care was easy to use, feasible, and acceptable. Repeated measures ANOVA identified a statistically significant increase over time in participants hope scores (p = 0.03) and a significant decrease in grief (< 0.001). Although significant differences in mental health were not detected, hope (r = 0.43, p = 0.03) and grief (r = − 0.66, p < 0.001) were significantly related to mental health quality of life. Conclusion MT4C-In Care is feasible, acceptable, and easy to use and shows promise to help carers of family members with ADRD residing in LTC increase their hope and decrease their grief. This study provides the foundation for a future pragmatic trial to determine the efficacy of MT4C-In Care. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03571165. June 30, 2018 (retrospectively registered).
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    Multi-disciplinary supportive end of life care in long-term care: an integrative approach to improving end of life
    (2021-05-22) Harasym, Patricia M.; Afzaal, Misha; Brisbin, Sarah; Sinnarajah, Aynharan; Venturato, Lorraine; Quail, Patrick; Kaasalainen, Sharon; Straus, Sharon; Sussman, Tamara; Virk, Navjot; Holroyd-Leduc, Jayna M.
    Abstract Background Optimal supportive end of life care for frail, older adults in long term care (LTC) homes involves symptom management, family participation, advance care plans, and organizational support. This 2-phase study aimed to combine multi-disciplinary opinions, build group consensus, and identify the top interventions needed to develop a supportive end of life care strategy for LTC. Methods A consensus-building approach was undertaken in 2 Phases. The first phase deployed modified Delphi questionnaires to address and transform diverse opinions into group consensus. The second phase explored and prioritized the interventions needed to develop a supportive end of life care strategy for LTC. Development of the Delphi questionnaire was based on findings from published results of physician perspectives of barriers and facilitators to optimal supportive end of life care in LTC, a literature search of palliative care models in LTC, and published results of patient, family and nursing perspectives of supportive end of life care in long term care. The second phase involved World Café Style workshop discussions. A multi-disciplinary purposive sample of individuals inclusive of physicians; staff, administrators, residents, family members, and content experts in palliative care, and researchers in geriatrics and gerontology participated in round one of the modified Delphi questionnaire. A second purposive sample derived from round one participants completed the second round of the modified Delphi questionnaire. A third purposive sample (including participants from the Delphi panel) then convened to identify the top priorities needed to develop a supportive end-of-life care strategy for LTC. Results 19 participants rated 75 statements on a 9-point Likert scale during the first round of the modified Delphi questionnaire. 11 participants (participation rate 58 %) completed the second round of the modified Delphi questionnaire and reached consensus on the inclusion of 71candidate statements. 35 multidisciplinary participants discussed the 71 statements remaining and prioritized the top clinical practice, communication, and policy interventions needed to develop a supportive end of life strategy for LTC. Conclusions Multi-disciplinary stakeholders identified and prioritized the top interventions needed to develop a 5-point supportive end of life care strategy for LTC.
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    Perspectives and experiences of compassion in long-term care facilities within Canada: a qualitative study of patients, family members and health care providers
    (2019-05-06) Smith-MacDonald, Lorraine; Venturato, Lorraine; Hunter, Paulette; Kaasalainen, Sharon; Sussman, Tamara; McCleary, Lynn; Thompson, Genevieve; Wickson-Griffiths, Abigail; Sinclair, Shane
    Abstract Introduction This paper details a subset of the findings from a participatory action research project exploring a palliative intervention in long-term care sites across Canada. The findings presented in this paper relate to understanding compassion within the context of a palliative approach to long-term care. Methods Findings presented are drawn from qualitative interviews and focus groups with residents, family members, healthcare providers, and managers from 4 long-term care sites across 4 provinces in Canada. In total, there were 117 individuals (20 residents, 16 family members, 72 healthcare providers, and 9 managers) who participated in one of 19 focus groups. Data was analyzed by multiple members of the research team in accordance with thematic analysis. Individual concepts were organized into themes across the different focus groups and the results were used to build a conceptual understanding of compassion within Long Term Care . Findings Two themes, each comprised of 5 sub-themes, emerged from the data. The first theme 'Conceptualizing Compassion in Long-Term Care generated a multidimensional understanding of compassion that was congruent with previous theoretical models. 'Organizational Compassion: resources and staffing', the second major theme, focused on the operationalization of compassion within the practice setting and organizational culture. Organizational Compassion subthemes focused on how compassion could support staff to enact care for the residents, the families, one another, and at times, recognizing their pain and supporting it through grief and mourning. Conclusions Results suggest that compassion is an essential part of care and relationships within long-term care, though it is shaped by personal and professional relational aspects of care and bound by organizational and systemic issues. Findings suggest that compassion may be an under-recognised, but essential element in meeting the promise of person-centred care within long-term care environments.
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    The ACHRU-CPP versus usual care for older adults with type-2 diabetes and multiple chronic conditions and their family caregivers: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
    (2017-02-06) Markle-Reid, Maureen; Ploeg, Jenny; Fraser, Kimberly D; Fisher, Kathryn A; Akhtar-Danesh, Noori; Bartholomew, Amy; Gafni, Amiram; Gruneir, Andrea; Hirst, Sandra P; Kaasalainen, Sharon; Stradiotto, Caralyn K; Miklavcic, John; Rojas-Fernandez, Carlos; Sadowski, Cheryl A; Thabane, Lehana; Triscott, Jean A C; Upshur, Ross
    Abstract Background Many community-based self-management programs have been developed for older adults with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), bolstered by evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that T2DM can be prevented and managed through lifestyle modifications. However, the evidence for their effectiveness is contradictory and weakened by reliance on single-group designs and/or small samples. Additionally, older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) are often excluded because of recruiting and retention challenges. This paper presents a protocol for a two-armed, multisite, pragmatic, mixed-methods RCT examining the effectiveness and implementation of the Aging, Community and Health Research Unit-Community Partnership Program (ACHRU-CPP), a new 6-month interprofessional, nurse-led program to promote self-management in older adults (aged 65 years or older) with T2DM and MCC and support their caregivers (including family and friends). Methods/design The study will enroll 160 participants in two Canadian provinces, Ontario and Alberta. Participants will be randomly assigned to the control (usual care) or program study arm. The program will be delivered by registered nurses (RNs) and registered dietitians (RDs) from participating diabetes education centers (Ontario) or primary care networks (Alberta) and program coordinators from partnering community-based organizations. The 6-month program includes three in-home visits, monthly group sessions, monthly team meetings for providers, and nurse-led care coordination. The primary outcome is the change in physical functioning as measured by the Physical Component Summary (PCS-12) score from the short form-12v2 health survey (SF-12). Secondary client outcomes include changes in mental functioning, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and self-efficacy. Caregiver outcomes include health-related quality of life and depressive symptoms. The study includes a comparison of health care service costs for the intervention and control groups, and a subgroup analysis to determine which clients benefit the most from the program. Descriptive and qualitative data will be collected to examine implementation of the program and effects on interprofessional/team collaboration. Discussion This study will provide evidence of the effectiveness of a community-based self-management program for a complex target population. By studying both implementation and effectiveness, we hope to improve the uptake of the program within the existing community-based structures, and reduce the research-to-practice gap. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT02158741 . Registered on 3 June 2014.