In a Canadian study of errors and adverse events, one of the ten causal factors identified was discontinuity of care; good continuity of care, on the other hand, contributed to good health and was integral to the concept of patient- and family-centred care.
Transitioning from one care setting to another is where breakdowns in continuity of care is most apparent, leading to stress and poor outcomes for patients, particularly when those patients are older adults.
So, why is it so difficult for medical staff and caregivers to identify the most important aspects that need to be addressed during transitions? To help answer this question researchers and healthcare providers are now collecting information directly from patients and their families with the aim of improving the overall quality of care in general and when patients move between providers and settings.
On November 28th, CHÉOS is co-hosting a seminar where attendees will hear from two experts in the field about gathering and utilizing this type of information. Isobel Mackenzie, B.C.’s Seniors Advocate, and Chris Graham, the CEO of the Picker Institute Europe, will share what they have learned and where there are knowledge gaps.
“Information from patients and family caregivers about their outcomes and experiences is foundational to person-centred care and to enhancing continuity across sectors of care in our healthcare system,” said Dr. Rick Sawatzky, CHÉOS Scientist and Canada Research Chair in Person-Centred Outcomes.
The event is organized as part of a national collaboration (funded by CIHR) on “A Meta-Narrative Review of Patient- and Family-Reported Experience and Outcome Measures Across Transitions of Care for Frail Seniors Living at Home” led by Dr. Sawatzky, Lena Cuthbertson, and Dr. Kara Schick-Makaroff.
“Healthcare today places a high value on data,” said Lena Cuthbertson, Provincial Executive Director, Office of Patient-Centred Measurement & Improvement “When the spotlight is on the numbers, it is easy to lose sight of what is most important, to forget who the data are really about — people.”
“This project has focused on learning what is most important to frail older adults and their families as they transition between different care providers and different care settings or sectors.”
There is a webinar option available for those that are unable to attend in person. As tickets are limited for both the webinar and in-person seminar, we ask that you please RSVP via Eventbrite. A poster for the event can be downloaded here.
