As we enter into another exciting year of improving health outcomes for BC and beyond, we’re reflecting on some of the Advancing Health research from the past year that has sparked change. Take a look at our latest Annual Report and see how we bridge the gap between data, research and care. To browse all of our stories from 2019, see our News section. To receive updates about CHÉOS-related news, subscribe to our newsletter.
New international collaboration on routine use of PROMs in the frail elderly
Drs. Rick Sawatzky and Jose Valderas (University of Exeter) recently received a 2019 UBC Partnership Development Fund Grant for a collaborative initiative between CHÉOS, Trinity Western University School of Nursing, and the University of Exeter. As part of this collaboration, Drs. Sawatzky and Valderas hosted a two-day workshop for researchers and clinicians on the use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in seniors. Building on the success of this workshop, an international symposium was held June in Leeds, UK, featuring leading researchers and knowledge users from Canada and Europe who are experts in the use and study of PROMs with seniors.
Injectable hydromorphone now approved to treat opioid addiction
In May, Health Canada announced that it approved the use of injectable hydromorphone for the treatment of severe opioid use disorder across the country and relaxed the import restrictions for diacetylmorphine. In her announcement, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, stated that the evidence clearly shows these medications to be valuable treatment options for opioid use disorder, improving health and retention in care for those who have not benefitted from other treatments. This decision, and the evidence cited in the announcement, is a direct result of the work by CHÉOS Scientists and staff in the SALOME and NAOMI trials, led by Dr. Eugenia Oviedo-Joekes.
KT Challenge team takes aim at stimulant use disorder
For the third year in a row, CHÉOS supported a team in the Knowledge Translation Challenge, a regional initiative jointly supported by PHC, PHCRI, and VCHRI that is designed to support clinicians in moving evidence in to practice. Dr. Eugenia Oviedo-Joekes and CHÉOS Trainee Heather Palis are supporting a team of point-of-care workers who are exploring the use of dexamphetamine (Dexedrine®) as a treatment for stimulant use disorder in patients receiving injectable opioid agonist treatment. The overall aim of the project is to promote increased awareness about dexamphetamine and how it can be used as a treatment in this context.
Half of interdisciplinary care staff at long-term care facilities exhibit signs of burnout
In mid-2016, over 200 staff members at PHC’s five long-term care facilities in Vancouver responded to open-ended questions and completed a survey and a burnout measurement scale. Ninety percent of surveyed staff had cared for one or more dying residents in the preceding 6 months and 46% had at least one sign of burnout. Staff expressed the need for support and resources for dying residents as well as for staff providing care to those patients. CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Joseph Puyat led the publication of the results as a part of his involvement with a team of residential care staff funded by the 2015 PHC Practice-Based Research Challenge.
A new technology for tailored measurement can give patients a stronger voice
In January 2019, Dr. Rick Sawatzky was renewed as a Canada Research Chair in Person-Centered Outcomes. Dr. Sawatzky’s project is focusing on embedding person-centered technologies into health systems by designing a novel tool that takes a person’s unique circumstances into account when collecting person-centered outcomes, including things like physical health, symptoms, or psychological wellbeing. Ultimately, the project aims to facilitate the encounter between a patient and their health care provider, improve the efficiency and accuracy of person-centered outcome measurement, and ensure that the information that is collected is relevant to each unique patient and their needs.
