Interprofessional teams with and without nurse practitioners and the level of adherence to best practice guidelines in cardiac surgery: A retrospective study.

AIM: To examine the level of adherence to best-practice guidelines of interprofessional teams with acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs) compared to interprofessional teams without ACNPs. DESIGN: A retrospective observational study was conducted in 2023. METHOD: A retrospective cohort was created including 280 patients who underwent a coronary artery bypass graft and/or a valve repair and hospitalised in a cardiac surgery unit of a university affiliated hospital in Québec (Canada) between 1 January 2019 to 31 January 2020. The level of adherence to best-practice guidelines was measured from a composite score in percentage. The composite score was created from a newly developed tool including 99 items across six categories (patient information, pharmacotherapy, laboratory tests, post-operative assessment, patient and interprofessional teams' characteristics). Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were computed to examine the effect of interprofessional teams with ACNPs on the level of adherence to best-practice guidelines. RESULTS: Most of the patients of the cohort were male and underwent a coronary artery bypass graft procedure. Patients under the care of interprofessional teams with ACNP were 1.72 times more likely to reach a level of adherence higher than 80% compared to interprofessional teams without ACNPs and were 2.29 times more likely to be within the highest quartile of the scores for the level of adherence to best-practice guidelines of the cohort. IMPACT: This study provides empirical data supporting the benefits of ACNP practice for patients, interprofessional teams and healthcare organisations. RELEVANCE FOR PRACTICE: Our findings identify the important contributions of interprofessional teams that include ACNPs using a validated instrument, as well as their contribution to the delivery of high quality patient care. REPORTING METHOD: This study followed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Statement: Guidelines for reporting observational studies guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Economic analysis of a health system strengthening program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo / Analyse économique d'un programme de renforcement du système de santé en République démocratique du Congo.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) precarious health system that provides only limited access to health care, the European Union, via Memisa Belgium, implemented a program to strengthen provision of and access to health care (known as PRO DS) in the provinces of Kongo Central and Ituri. This program took a holistic approach, seeking to improve equitable access and combat malnutrition. METHODS: To measure the program's social return on investment and to estimate the cost per capita and effectiveness per euro invested (efficiency), a 61-month (1 July 2017 to 31 July 2022) cost-effectiveness evaluation with a societal perspective was carried out. The double-difference method was used to compare the results of PRO DS and non-PRO DS zones. The social return on investment was assessed via the ratio of effectiveness to costs. RESULTS: Analyses revealed the program cost between 3.72 and 3.96 euros per capita per year (2022) in Kongo Central, and between 3.12 and 3.36 euros in Ituri. Importantly, it was cost-effective in the areas of reproductive health, nutrition, and the use of health and nutrition services. CONCLUSIONS: The program's strong nutritional component and overall holistic vision may explain why it was so efficient. PRO DS stands out from other programs that focus solely on one specific problem or population. Although the program has some limitations, it would be worthwhile for the government to invest in it.

Introduction: Face à l'accès limité aux soins et à la précarité des structures sanitaires en République démocratique du Congo, l'Union européenne par l'intermédiaire de Memisa Belgique avait mis en œuvre le Programme de renforcement de l'offre et développement de l'accès aux soins de santé (PRO DS) dans les provinces du Kongo-Central et de l'Ituri. Ce programme se caractérisait par une approche holistique d'équité d'accès et de lutte contre la malnutrition. Méthodes: Pour mesurer le retour social sur investissement du programme et estimer son coût par habitant et son efficacité par euros investis (efficience), une évaluation coûts-efficacité avec une perspective sociétale de 61 mois (1er juillet 2017 au 31 juillet 2022) a été réalisée. La méthode de double différence, qui compare les résultats des zones PRO DS et des zones non PRO DS, a été utilisée. Le retour social sur investissement a été évalué par le biais du rapport entre l'efficacité et les coûts. Résultats: Les analyses ont montré que le programme coûtait par année et par habitant entre 3,72 et 3,96 euros (2022) au Kongo-Central, et entre 3,12 et 3,36 euros en Ituri. De plus, il était coût-efficace dans plusieurs domaines, telles la santé de la reproduction, la nutrition, l'utilisation des services de santé et nutritionnels. Conclusions: L'efficience du programme pourrait s'expliquer par sa vision holistique avec un fort volet « Nutrition ¼. PRO DS se démarque d'autres programmes qui agissent uniquement sur une problématique ou population spécifique. Malgré ses quelques imperfections, le gouvernement mériterait d'y investir.

COVID-19 pandemic or chaos time management: first-line worker shortage - a qualitative study in three Canadian Provinces.

BACKGROUND: Over the successive waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, front-line care workers (FLCWs) -in this case, at long-term care facilities (LTCFs)- have been the backbone of the fight. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected LTCFs in terms of the number of cases, deaths, and other morbidities, requiring managers to make rapid and profound shifts. The purpose of this study is to describe the effects of the pandemic on LTCF services offered and LTCFs staff dedicated to linguistic minorities in three Canadian provinces. METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study involved eleven managers and fourteen FLCWs, from six LTCFs of three Canadian provinces (New-Brunswick, Manitoba and Quebec). A qualitative content analysis was performed to identify key themes describing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the services offered and the management of LTCFs staff. RESULTS: Based on participants' experiences, we identified three main categories of themes. These macro-themes are as follows: (i) organization and management of staff, (ii) communication and decision-making method, and (iii) staff support. CONCLUSION: The study highlighted the tremendous impact of COVID-19 on direct care staff in terms of the high risks associated with caring for LTCFs residents, which are exacerbated by absences and resignations (sometimes up to 50% of staff), resulting in higher resident to FLCWs ratios. Team members had to support each other, they also received accolades and appreciation from the residents.. Finally, the pandemic led to the rethinking of management procedures centred on a coordinated, inclusive and more hands-on management approach.

Influence of caring for COVID-19 patients on nurse's turnover, work satisfaction and quality of care.

AIM: This study aims to examine, through the lens of the Job Demands-Resources model, the influence of caring for COVID-19 patients on nurse's perception of chronic fatigue, quality of care, satisfaction at work and intention to leave their organisation and the profession. BACKGROUND: Studies have examined how fear of COVID-19 contributes to the mental, physical and work adjustment among nurses. To date, few studies have been conducted examining how caring for patients with COVID-19 contributes to work outcomes among nurses. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey involving 1705 frontline nurses and licensed practical nurses in Quebec, Canada. From these, 782 reported caring for COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: High chronic fatigue, poor quality of care, lower work satisfaction and higher intention to leave their organisation were found for nurses caring for COVID-19 patients. Poorly prepared and overwhelmed nurses showed higher turnover intention than those well prepared and in control. CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need to provide support to nurses during the pandemic, with a long-term strategy to increase their retention. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nurse administrators play an important role in supporting their nurses during a pandemic in the form of education, training and policy development to positively impact quality of care and retention.

Implementing a Telehealth Support Tool for Community-Dwelling Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Investigation of Provider Experiences.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, policymakers had to quickly offer telehealth services to address older adults' needs. This study aimed to understand the experiences of providers who implemented a telephone-based telehealth tool named Socio-Geriatric Evaluation (ESOGER), which assessed health and social isolation risks in community-dwelling older adults in Quebec (Canada). This qualitative study used 20 semi-structured online/phone interviews with health and social service providers coming from publicly-funded healthcare facilities and community organizations. We included adopters and non-adopters of the telehealth tool. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. We used reflexive thematic analysis to interpret the data. Three dimensions of providers' practice influenced the tool's implementation: service organization, working conditions, and interactions with older adults. Participants reported that the tool fostered continuity of care, provided guidance for their pandemic-related new tasks, and helped identify and support socially isolated older adults. Challenges to implementation included limited appropriateness of the telehealth tool for diverse services, feasibility barriers to adopting a new tool amid the health crisis, and acceptability challenges with some older adults. Despite relevance of the telehealth tool for providers, organizational, professional, and interactional barriers could hinder implementation success. Participatory approaches to telehealth may be promising avenues for future policies in this field.

Patient and family views of team functioning in primary healthcare teams with nurse practitioners: a survey of patient-reported experience and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Nurse practitioners (NPs) have been added to primary healthcare teams to improve access to care. Team processes, including communication and decision-making, explicate how patients and families view team functioning. Yet, important gaps exist in our understanding of patient-reported experience and outcomes at the level of the healthcare team. We aimed to examine the influence of individual, team, and organizational characteristics, and role clarity on outcomes of care mediated by team processes in primary healthcare teams that include NPs. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey across six sites representing practices with NPs in Québec, Canada, was conducted between March 2018 and April 2019 as part of a multiple-case study. Patients and families (n = 485; response rate: 53%) completed a validated questionnaire, which included a patient-reported experience measure (PREM) and a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) of team functioning (Cronbach alpha: 0.771 (PROM) to 0.877 (PREM)). We performed logistic regression and mediation analyses to examine relationships between the individual, team, and organizational characteristics, role clarity, and outcomes of care mediated by team processes. RESULTS: Patients and families expressed positive perceptions of team functioning (mean 4.97/6 [SD 0.68]) and outcomes of care (5.08/6 [0.74]). Also, high team processes (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 14.92 [95% CI 8.11 to 27.44]) was a significant predictor of high outcomes of care. Role clarity (indirect effect coefficient ab = 6.48 [95% CI 3.79 to 9.56]), living in an urban area (-1.32 [-2.59 to -0.13]), patient as respondent (-1.43 [-2.80 to -0.14]), and income (1.73 [0.14 to 3.45]) were significant predictors of outcomes of care mediated by team processes. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides key insights on how primary healthcare teams with NPs contribute to team functioning, using a validated instrument consistent with a conceptual framework. Results highlight that high role clarity, living in a non urban area, family as respondent, and adequate income were significant predictors of high outcomes of care mediated by high team processes. Additional research is needed to compare teams with and without NPs in different settings, to further explicate the relationships identified in our study.

A mixed methods quality improvement study to implement nurse practitioner roles and improve care for residents in long-term care facilities.

BACKGROUND: To better meet long-term care (LTC) residents' (patients in LTC) needs, nurse practitioners (NPs) were proposed as part of a quality improvement initiative. No research has been conducted in LTC in Québec Canada, where NP roles are new. We collected provider interviews, field notes and resident outcomes to identify how NPs in LTC influence care quality and inform the wider implementation of these roles in Québec. This paper reports on resident outcomes and field notes. METHODS: Research Design: This mixed methods quality improvement study included a prospective cohort study in six LTC facilities in Québec. Participants: Data were collected from September 2015-August 2016. The cohort consisted of all residents (n = 538) followed by the nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioner interventions (n = 3798) related to medications, polypharmacy, falls, restraint use, transfers to acute care and pressure ulcers were monitored. Analysis: Bivariate analyses and survival analysis of occurrence of events over time were conducted. Content analysis was used for the qualitative data. RESULTS: Nurse practitioners (n = 6) worked half-time in LTC with an average caseload ranging from 42 to 80 residents. Sites developed either a shared care or a consultative model. The average age of residents was 82, and two thirds were women. The most common diagnosis on admission was dementia (62%, n = 331). The number of interventions/resident (range: 2.2-16.3) depended on the care model. The average number of medications/resident decreased by 12% overall or 10% for each 30-day period over 12 months. The incidence of polypharmacy, falls, restraint use, and transfers to acute care decreased, and very few pressure ulcers were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of NPs in LTC in Québec can improve care quality for residents. Results show that the average number of medications per day per resident, the incidence of polypharmacy, falls, restraint use, and transfers to acute care all decreased during the study, suggesting that a wider implementation of NP roles in LTC is a useful strategy to improve resident care. Although additional studies are needed, the implementation of a consultative model should be favoured as our project provides preliminary evidence of the contributions of these new roles in LTC in Québec.

Effectiveness for introducing nurse practitioners in six long-term care facilities in Québec, Canada: A cost-savings analysis.

BACKGROUND: Internationally, most studies have focused on quality and safety in long-term care. However, studies focusing on the economic evaluation of quality and security in long-term care are sparse. Moreover, the economic evaluation of nurse practitioner care in long-term care is lacking, particularly in Québec Canada where roles are new. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of introducing nurse practitioners in six long-term care facilities in Québec using a cost-savings analysis in terms of reduction of nurse practitioner sensitive events (NPSEs). METHODS: A cost savings analysis was completed using a prospective observational study. All residents (n = 538) under the care of teams that included nurse practitioners who experienced at least one of the following NPSEs: falls, pressure ulcers, short-term transfers, and a change in the time needed to administer the medications consumed were included. Data were collected from September 1st 2015 to August 31st 2016. Descriptive statistics identified numbers of cases for falls, pressure ulcers, short-term transfers, and the number of medications consumed. A literature analysis was used to estimate excess median long-term care facility related costs of these NPSEs. Costs were calculated in 2016 Canadian dollars. The cost savings with the reductions that occurred for falls, pressure ulcers, short term transfers, and the time needed to administer medications after the implementation of a primary healthcare nurse practitioner role in the six long term care facilities were also estimated. FINDINGS: The median cost of 341 cases of falls, 32 cases of pressure ulcers and 53 cases of short-term transfers in the six long-term facilities would range between CAD 4,516,337.8 and CAD 5,281,824.4. Moreover, the total costs savings from the reduction of adverse events including the reduction of nursing administration time for medications would be between CAD 1,942,533.6 and CAD 3,254,403.4. DISCUSSION: This is the first study to present the financial consequence of adverse events sensitive to nurse practitioner care in long-term care. Important cost savings were generated from the reduction of adverse events after the implementation of nurse practitioner roles in long-term care. Government should consider these results for prevention and improvements in quality and safety in long-term care.

Economic Burden of West Nile Virus Disease, Quebec, Canada, 2012-2013.

The economic burden of West Nile virus (WNV) infection is not known for Canada. We sought to describe the direct and indirect costs of WNV infection in the province of Quebec, Canada, up to 2 years after onset of signs and symptoms. We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included WNV cases reported during 2012 and 2013. For 90 persons infected with WNV, persons with encephalitis accounted for the largest proportion of total cost: a median cost of $21,332 per patient compared with $8,124 for West Nile meningitis (p = 0.0004) and $192 for West Nile fever (p<0.0001). When results were extrapolated to all reported WNV patients, the estimated total cost for 124 symptomatic cases was ≈$1.7 million for 2012 and that for 31 symptomatic cases was ≈$430,000 for 2013. Our study provides information for the government to make informed decisions regarding public health policies and infectious diseases prevention and control programs.

Measuring patient and family perceptions of team processes and outcomes in healthcare teams: questionnaire development and psychometric evaluation.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of validated instruments examining dimensions of team functioning from the perspective of patients and families consistent with a conceptual framework. The study aimed to develop and assess the psychometric properties of the Patient-Perceptions of Team Effectiveness (PTE) questionnaire. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in three studies. Data were collected from May-October 2016 for Study 1, April 2018-ongoing for Study 2, and October 2016 to June 2017 for Study 3. Online and paper versions of the self-administered questionnaire were available in English and in French. The initial questionnaire included 41 items. Study 1 included 320 respondents. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach alpha. Face validity (n = 250) was assessed using a structured questionnaire. Content validity was examined using subject matter experts and Spearman's item-total correlations. Construct validity was examined using known group comparisons (i.e., clinical specialty, education, length of follow-up, reason of consultation). Content analysis was used for open-ended questions. RESULTS: The questionnaire took 10 to 15 min to complete. Positive assessments were noted for instructions, formatting, font size and logical ordering of questions. In Study 1, reliability indices for the PTE-Overall, Team Processes and Outcomes subscales ranged from 0.72 to 0.84. Item-total correlations ranged from 0.551 to 0.794 (p <  0.001). Differences were noted between clinical specialties, education, length of follow-up, reason of consultation, low and high functioning teams. No differences were noted between English and French language respondents. Psychometric properties were re-assessed in Study 2 and 3 after unclear questions were reworked. Reliability indices for the subscales ranged from 0.76 to 0.94 and differences remained significant between low and high functioning teams. CONCLUSION: The final 43-item instrument is easy to administer to patients and families. The studies provide evidence of validity to support the propositions in the conceptual framework. The patient-level measures can be aggregated to the team, organizational or system level. The information can be used to assess healthcare team functioning in acute and primary care and determine the role patients and families are playing in teams. Further testing is needed with patients and families who are hospitalized or receiving care from teams in rural areas.

Implementing primary healthcare nurse practitioners in long-term care teams: A qualitative descriptive study.

AIM: To identify the conditions needed to implement nurse practitioners (NP) in long-term care (LTC) in Québec, Canada. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive study was undertaken. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews (N = 91) and socio-demographic questionnaires were completed with providers and managers from May 2016-March 2017. Nurse practitioner activity logs were compiled at three sites. Content analysis was used. RESULTS: All sites initially implemented a shared care model but not all sites successfully implemented a consultative model. The progression was influenced by physicians' level of comfort in moving towards a consultative model. Weekly meetings with physicians and nurse managers and an office for NPs located near healthcare teams facilitated communication and improved implementation. Half-time NP positions facilitated recruitment. Improvements were noted in timely care for residents, family involvement and quality of documentation of the healthcare team. Regulatory restrictions on prescribing medications used frequently in LTC and daily physician presence at some sites limited implementation. CONCLUSION: The project fostered an understanding of the conditions needed to successfully implement NPs in LTC. An examination of the perspective of residents and families is needed.

Case Management in Primary Care for Frequent Users of Health Care Services: A Mixed Methods Study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the V1SAGES case management intervention (Vulnerable Patients in Primary Care: Nurse Case Management and Self-management Support) for frequent users of health care services with chronic disease and complex care needs on psychological distress and patient activation. METHODS: We used a 2-phase sequential mixed methods design. The first phase was a pragmatic randomized controlled trial with intention-to-treat analysis that measured the effects of the intervention compared with usual care on psychological distress and patient activation before and after 6 months. The second phase had a qualitative descriptive design and entailed thematic analysis of in-depth interviews (25 patients, 6 case management nurses, 9 health managers) and focus groups (8 patients' spouses, 21 family physicians) to understand stakeholders' perceived effects of the intervention on patients. RESULTS: A total of 247 patients were randomized into the intervention group (n = 126) or the control group (n = 121). Compared with usual care, the intervention reduced psychological distress (odds ratio = 0.43; 95% CI, 0.19-0.95, P = .04), but did not have any significant effect on patient activation (P = .43). Qualitative results suggested that patients and their spouses benefitted from the case management intervention, gaining a sense of security, and stakeholders noted better patient self-management of health. CONCLUSIONS: Together, our study's quantitative and qualitative results suggest that case management reduces psychological distress, making patients and caregivers feel more secure, whereas impact on self-management is unclear. Case management is a promising avenue to improve outcomes among frequent users of health care with complex needs.

The economic burden of nurse-sensitive adverse events in 22 medical-surgical units: retrospective and matching analysis.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the economic burden of nurse-sensitive adverse events in 22 acute-care units in Quebec by estimating excess hospital-related costs and calculating resulting additional hospital days. BACKGROUND: Recent changes in the worldwide economic and financial contexts have made the cost of patient safety a topical issue. Yet, our knowledge about the economic burden of safety of nursing care is quite limited in Canada in general and Quebec in particular. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of charts of 2699 patients hospitalized between July 2008 - August 2009 for at least 2 days of 30-day periods in 22 medical-surgical units in 11 hospitals in Quebec. METHODS: Data were collected from September 2009 to August 2010. Nurse-sensitive adverse events analysed were pressure ulcers, falls, medication administration errors, pneumonia and urinary tract infections. Descriptive statistics identified numbers of cases for each nurse-sensitive adverse event. A literature analysis was used to estimate excess median hospital-related costs of treatments with these nurse-sensitive adverse events. Costs were calculated in 2014 Canadian dollars. Additional hospital days were estimated by comparing lengths of stay of patients with nurse-sensitive adverse events with those of similar patients without nurse-sensitive adverse events. RESULTS: This study found that five adverse events considered nurse-sensitive caused nearly 1300 additional hospital days for 166 patients and generated more than Canadian dollars 600,000 in excess treatment costs. CONCLUSION: The results present the financial consequences of the nurse-sensitive adverse events. Government should invest in prevention and in improvements to care quality and patient safety. Managers need to strengthen safety processes in their facilities and nurses should take greater precautions.

Evaluating the influence of primary healthcare nurse practitioners' interventions in home care on hospitalizations and emergency department transfers.

RATIONALE: Home care allows patients with functional limitations to receive services at home and prevent health decline. Home care can reduce hospitalization and emergency department (ED) transfers. Integrating primary healthcare nurse practitioners (PHCNPs) in home care increases the supply of services, but little is known about their influence on patients' ability to remain at home. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the influence of PHCNPs' interventions on hospitalizations and ED transfers in patients receiving care from interprofessional home care teams with PHCNPs. METHOD: The retrospective cohort study employed multiple logistic regression and Cox modelling techniques to assess the influence of PHCNP interventions on hospitalizations and ED transfers. Descriptive and bivariate analyses examined sample characteristics and variable associations. Four purposively selected sites in Québec, Canada, were included. Data were collected from electronic health records of all patients (n = 343) receiving home care from these teams. RESULTS: The characteristics of the sites, sample, and PHCNP interventions were described. Planned interventions led to a 5.8% decrease in hospitalizations and ED transfers (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.058, p = 0.039), while unplanned interventions resulted in a 1.5-fold increase in this outcome (adjusted OR: 1.518, p < 0.001). The risk of hospitalization and ED transfers increased by 10.7 times with unplanned interventions (adjusted OR: 10.651, p = 0.002). Furthermore, imaging was associated with a 2-fold increased risk (adjusted OR: 1.954, p = 0.021), consultations with a 1.8-fold increased risk (adjusted OR: 1.849, p = 0.034), and laboratory test-related interventions after 30 or more days reduced the risk by 68.0% (adjusted OR: 0.320, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PHCNPs in interprofessional home care teams show promise in reducing hospitalizations and ED transfers through planned visits. These findings provide valuable insights that can contribute to enhancing home care services for a population with limited access to healthcare and high healthcare needs. Further research is needed in other jurisdictions.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices of stakeholders involved in healthcare financing programs on economic evaluations in Cameroon.

There are many healthcare financing programs (HFPs) in Cameroon; however, there is a lack of information on these programs' economic effectiveness and efficiency. Involvement of local stakeholders in the economic evaluations (EEs) of HFPs is critical for ensuring contextual factors are considered prior to program implementation. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the need for EEs of Cameroonian HFPs. Regular staff in supervisory roles aged 18 years and above were recruited in four Cameroonian cities. Data were collected via face-to-face surveys between June 15 and August 1, 2022. Descriptive analyses summarized participants' knowledge, attitudes, and practices in relation to performing EEs of HFPs. Principal component analyses identified organizational, individual, and contextual factors that could influence participants' involvement. The total sample included 106 participants. On average, 65% of participants reported being aware of the listed HFPs; however, of these, only 28% said that they had been involved in the HFPs. Of the 106 participants, 57.5% knew about EEs; yet, almost 90% reported that the HFP in question had never been subject to an EE, and 84% had never been involved in an EE. Most participants indicated that they had intended or would like to receive EE training. Using principal component analyses, the organizational factors were classified into two components ('policy and governance' and 'planning and implementation'), the individual factors were classified into two components ('training' and 'motivation'), and the contextual factors were classified into three components ('funding,' 'political economy,' and 'public expectations'). The findings of this study highlight the need to invest in EE training to improve participation rates of Cameroonian stakeholders in the EEs of HFPs. Improved knowledge, diversified skills, and increased participation of stakeholders from all levels of the Cameroonian healthcare system are critical to the effective and efficient development, implementation, and EE of the country's HFPs.

Prioritizing protecting oneself over the COVID-19 virus versus other health and social needs among older adults living alone: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: People aged 65 and over, deemed most "vulnerable" by public health, were targeted by the COVID-19 protection measures which sought to minimize physical contact and social activities. Older adults living alone were particularly impacted by these measures. However, such measures meant to protect the older population may not have necessarily reflected older adults' individual prioritization choices. This study therefore aimed to understand how protecting oneself over the virus was considered in the prioritization of other health and social needs of older adults living alone during the pandemic. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study adopted a qualitative design. A total of 17 semi-structured interviews was conducted between May 2021 and June 2022 with older adults living alone. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A reflexive thematic analysis as defined by Braun and Clarke (2018, 2019) was performed. RESULTS: Our analysis showed two forms of prioritization across two themes. This first theme focused on participants who reported prioritizing protecting themselves over the virus by limiting in-person contact and activities. The second theme showed that although several participants reported that protecting themselves over the virus was important to them, the prioritization of this need was not shared by all and, in some cases, evolved over the course of the pandemic. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Our study demonstrated heterogeneity in the prioritization of older adults needs. Future public health recommendations should consider these variations in the needs and priorities of older adults when determining public health measures.

Case management and self-management support for frequent users with chronic disease in primary care: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic diseases represent a major challenge for health care and social services. A number of people with chronic diseases require more services due to characteristics that increase their vulnerability. Given the burden of increasingly vulnerable patients on primary care, a pragmatic intervention in four Family Medicine Groups (primary care practices in Quebec, Canada) has been proposed for individuals with chronic diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal diseases and/or chronic pain) who are frequent users of hospital services. The intervention combines case management by a nurse with group support meetings encouraging self-management based on the Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. The goals of this study are to: (1) analyze the implementation of the intervention in the participating practices in order to determine how the various contexts have influenced the implementation and the observed effects; (2) evaluate the proximal (self-efficacy, self-management, health habits, activation and psychological distress) and intermediate (empowerment, quality of life and health care use) effects of the intervention on patients; (3) conduct an economic analysis of the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the intervention. METHODS/DESIGN: The analysis of the implementation will be conducted using realistic evaluation and participatory approaches within four categories of stakeholders (Family Medicine Group and health centre management, Family Medicine Group practitioners, patients and their families, health centre or community partners). The data will be obtained through individual and group interviews, project documentation reviews and by documenting the intervention. Evaluation of the effects on patients will be based on a pragmatic randomized before-after experimental design with a delayed intervention control group (six months). Economic analysis will include cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis. DISCUSSION: The integration of a case management intervention delivered by nurses and self-management group support into primary care practices has the potential to positively impact patient empowerment and quality of life and hopefully reduce the burden on health care. Decision-makers, managers and health care professionals will be aware of the factors to consider in promoting the implementation of this intervention into other primary care practices in the region and elsewhere. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01719991.

Associations of patient safety outcomes with models of nursing care organization at unit level in hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations of four distinct nursing care organizational models with patient safety outcomes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional correlational study. Using a standardized protocol, patients' records were screened retrospectively to detect occurrences of patient safety-related events. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the associations of those events with four nursing care organizational models. SETTING: Twenty-two medical units in 11 hospitals in Quebec, Canada, were clustered into 4 nursing care organizational models: 2 professional models and 2 functional models. PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand six hundred and ninety-nine were patients hospitalized for at least 48 h on the selected units. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Composite of six safety-related events widely-considered sensitive to nursing care: medication administration errors, falls, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, unjustified restraints and pressure ulcers. Events were ultimately sorted into two categories: events 'without major' consequences for patients and events 'with' consequences. RESULTS: After controlling for patient characteristics, patient risk of experiencing one or more events (of any severity) and of experiencing an event with consequences was significantly lower, by factors of 25-52%, in both professional models than in the functional models. Event rates for both functional models were statistically indistinguishable from each other. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that nursing care organizational models characterized by contrasting staffing, work environment and innovation characteristics may be associated with differential risk for hospitalized patients. The two professional models, which draw mainly on registered nurses (RNs) to deliver nursing services and reflect stronger support for nurses' professional practice, were associated with lower risks than are the two functional models.

Scoping review protocol examining charge nurse skills: requirement for the development of training.

INTRODUCTION: The charge nurse (CN) holds a position in clinical-administrative management and is essential for improving the quality and safety of care in healthcare institutions. The position requires five essential skills: leadership; interpersonal communication; clinical-administrative caring; problem solving; and knowledge and understanding of the work environment. The scientific literature has not widely examined the importance of providing these skills as part of initial training, nor when CNs begin their duties. This study aims to fill this gap through an exhaustive review of the literature with the aim of developing standardised training for the CN when they start in their position. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Institute framework will be conducted. The CINAHL, MEDLINE, Science Direct and Cairn, databases as well as grey literature from ProQuest dissertations and thesis global database, Google Scholar and the website of the Order of Nurses of Quebec will be queried using keywords. Relevant literature in French and English, published between 2000 and 2022 will be retained. The CN is the target population. Outcomes address at least one of the five CN skills, describe how they are operationalised and what their impact is on the organisation of work and quality of care. This analysis will identify essential and relevant elements for the development of standardised, up-to-date and appropriate training for the position of CN. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required, as data does not include individual patient data. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and presented to nursing managers and directors. SCOPING REVIEW REGISTRATION: Research Registry ID: researchregistry7030.

An Analysis of the Social Impacts of a Health System Strengthening Program Based on Purchasing Health Services.

Access to universal health coverage is a fundamental right that ensures that even the most disadvantaged receive health services without financial hardship. The Democratic Republic of Congo is among the poorest countries in the world, yet healthcare is primarily made by direct payment which renders care inaccessible for most Congolese. Between 2017 and 2021 a purchasing of health services initiative (Le Programme de Renforcement de l'Offre et Développement de l'accès aux Soins de Santé or PRO DS), was implemented in Kongo Central and Ituri with the assistance of the non-governmental organization Memisa Belgium. The program provided funding for health system strengthening that included health service delivery, workforce development, improved infrastructure, access to medicines and support for leadership and governance. This study assessed the social and health impacts of the PRO DS Memisa program using a health impact assessment focus. A documentary review was performed to ascertain relevant indicators of program effect. Supervision and management of health zones and health centers, use of health and nutritional services, the population's nutritional health, immunization levels, reproductive and maternal health, and newborn and child health were measured using a controlled longitudinal model. Positive results were found in almost all indicators across both provinces, with a mean proportion of positive effect of 60.8% for Kongo Central, and 70.8% in Ituri. Barriers to the program's success included the arrival of COVID-19, internal displacement of the population and resistance to change from the community. The measurable positive impacts from the PRO DS Memisa program reveal that an adequately funded multi-faceted health system strengthening program can improve access to healthcare in a low-income country such as the Democratic Republic of Congo.