Grant: Catalyst Grant: Patient-Oriented Research

Residents of long term care (LTC) are typically female, over the age of 85 with low income and multiple complex health conditions. Access to primary care, which is an essential component of quality of life (QoL), is limited by resident physical or psychosocial factors and the expertise of providers to manage care. The resultant problem is residents becoming unwell or being transferred to the emergency department (ED), further impacting QoL. Evidence supports the role of nurse practitioners in reducing health service utilization, decreasing rates of transfer and admission to hospital, and decreasing length of stay post-transfer. This research team mobilizes knowledge gained through the foundation study (Compton et al., 2019) which was a partnership with residents of LTC, family members, staff and content experts, and explored resident QoL, staff skills-mix, and care processes, including the decision to transfer residents to the ED, within six LTC homes in Saskatchewan. The aim of this catalyst study is to identify innovative models of care that will improve the QoL and outcomes for residents living in LTC. The research strategy uses a patient-oriented research approach. Phase 1 of the grant is to build capacity of all team members through sharing lived experiences in LTC, as family caregivers and as researchers by developing infographics on the data from the foundation study. In phase 2 the research team co-produces and engages with residents, families and stakeholders in a World Café at each of the six LTC sites. The data generated from the World Cafes will be analyzed in phase 3 to propose innovative models of care to trial in LTC homes. The findings will be compiled for all LTC homes for deliberation and use by decision makers and collaborators. Both the research process and results are significant in empowering LTC residents and stakeholders to advocate for resident-centred care and enhance models of care to improve outcomes for older adults.