Interprofessional mental health training in rural primary care: findings from a mixed methods study.

The benefits of interprofessional care in providing mental health services have been widely recognized, particularly in rural communities where access to health services is limited. There continues to be a need for more continuing interprofessional education in mental health intervention in rural areas. There have been few reports of rural programs in which mental health content has been combined with training in collaborative practice. The current study used a sequential mixed-method and quasi-experimental design to evaluate the impact of an interprofessional, intersectoral education program designed to enhance collaborative mental health capacity in six rural sites. Quantitative results reveal a significant increase in positive attitudes toward interprofessional mental health care teams and self-reported increases in knowledge and understanding about collaborative mental health care delivery. The analysis of qualitative data collected following completion of the program, reinforced the value of teaching mental health content within the context of collaborative practice and revealed practice changes, including more interprofessional and intersectoral collaboration. This study suggests that imbedding explicit training in collaborative care in content focused continuing professional education for more complex and chronic health issues may increase the likelihood that professionals will work together to effectively meet client needs.

A Phenomenological Study of Postgraduate Medical Trainees' Incidental Learning Experiences and Psychological Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND:  During the COVID-19 pandemic, postgraduate medical trainees contributed significantly to the healthcare workforce, as multiple vulnerabilities in the healthcare system and medical training were expounded. The burden of training, learning, and working at this time introduced unique psychological and emotional stressors within a context of generalized volatility and radically different ways to work and learn. This study explored postgraduate trainees' experiences with coping, managing, and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODOLOGY:  Using a phenomenological approach, semistructured interviews were conducted with an intradisciplinary sample (n = 8) of postgraduate trainees in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, between May and October 2022. Five researchers performed inductive and deductive thematic analysis to develop a coding structure and identify common themes. RESULTS:  The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the use of restrictive public health measures and an unprecedented shift from in-person to virtual learning. This affected trainees' exposure to normalized learning experiences, training rotations, and opportunities to learn from peers and staff. Certainly, trainees reported that virtual learning improved their educational experiences in unique ways, increased engagement and attendance, and enabled regular meetings and learning when in-person options were unavailable. Trainees also reported enhanced self-directed learning skills, greater ownership of and leadership in their education, and increased confidence and experience with virtual care. Some also reported a perceived increase in elements of emotional intelligence (e.g., self-awareness, empathy, and compassion). CONCLUSIONS:  Trainees reported a variety of incidental learning experiences from working and training during COVID-19. Although some experiences were challenging, there was a perception that such experiences led to new learnings that were beneficial to one's professional development and future career, as well as implications for future training provided to trainees. While there was a reported shift in the culture surrounding postgraduate trainees' health and safety, respondents also described the need for additional support for postgraduate trainees' well-being during a pandemic.

Training for virtual care: What do the experts think?

Introduction: Virtual care has expanded during COVID-19 and enabled continued access to healthcare services. As with the introduction of any new technology in healthcare delivery, the preparation of healthcare providers for adopting and using such systems is imperative. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore experts' ascribed opinions on healthcare providers' continuing professional development (CPD) needs in virtual care. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of key informants representing Canadian provincial and national organizations with expertise in virtual care delivery. Results: Three main areas of knowledge, skills, and abilities that would be most helpful for healthcare providers in preparing to adopt and use virtual care were identified. The use of technology necessitates knowledge of how to integrate technology and virtual care in the practice workflow. This includes knowing how to use the technology and the privacy and security of the technology. Providers need to be able to adapt their clinical skills to virtual care and build rapport through good communication with patients. Virtual care is not appropriate for all visits, therefore providers need to understand when an in-person visit is necessary with respect to the nature of the appointment, as well as contextual factors for individual patients. Finally, providers need to adapt their examination skills to virtual care. Discussion: Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual care will have a continuing role in enhancing continuity of care through access that is more convenient. Key informants identified barriers and challenges in adopting and using virtual care effectively, fundamental knowledge, skills and/or abilities required, and important topics and/or educational experiences to guide CPD program development on virtual care for healthcare providers.

Patient Experiences With Virtual Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Phenomenological Focus Group Study.

BACKGROUND: Virtual care has expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic and enabled greater access and continuity of care for many patients. From a patient-oriented research perspective, understanding the patient experience with virtual care appointments is an important first step in identifying ways to better support patient use and satisfaction. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this qualitative study was (1) to explore patients' experiences and perspectives with the adoption and use of virtual care during COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and (2) identify the education and informational needs of patients to inform future strategies for supporting patient use of virtual care. METHODS: Using a phenomenological approach, we conducted a focus group interview with a purposive sample of patient representatives representing a cross-section of the population of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Five patient representatives were recruited from the Newfoundland and Labrador Support Patient Advisory Council and participated in the focus group. The focus group was conducted in February 2022 via videoconferencing technology. Using thematic analysis, we identified several recurrent themes that described respondents' experiences with the use of virtual care during COVID-19, as well as their perceptions of education and informational needs to support more effective patient use of virtual care. RESULTS: Respondents felt that virtual care is a beneficial addition to the health care system, enabling greater convenience and access to health care services. Key barriers and challenges in adopting and using virtual care appear to primarily arise from patients' lack of knowledge, understanding, and familiarity with respect to virtual care. Cost, technological access, connectivity, and low digital literacy were challenges for some patients, particularly in rural communities and among older patient population. Patient education and support were critical and needed to be inclusive, easy to understand, and include information regarding privacy, security, consent, and the technology itself. The types of patient education experiences regarded as most helpful included peer support and knowledge sharing among patients themselves. CONCLUSIONS: Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual care will have a continuing role in enhancing the continuity of care for patients through more convenient access. The education and informational needs of patients are important considerations in promoting the adoption and use of virtual care. Key education and informational needs and strategies were identified to enable and empower patients with the knowledge, digital literacy skills, and support to effectively use virtual care.

An approach to integrating interprofessional education in collaborative mental health care.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes an evaluation of a curriculum approach to integrating interprofessional education (IPE) in collaborative mental health practice across the pre- to post-licensure continuum of medical education. METHODS: A systematic evaluation of IPE activities was conducted, utilizing a combination of evaluation study designs, including: pretest-posttest control group; one-group pre-test-post-test; and one-shot case study. Participant satisfaction, attitudes toward teamwork, and self-reported teamwork abilities were key evaluative outcome measures. RESULTS: IPE in collaborative mental health practice was well received at both the pre- and post-licensure levels. Satisfaction scores were very high, and students, trainees, and practitioners welcomed the opportunity to learn about collaboration in the context of mental health. Medical student satisfaction increased significantly with the introduction of standardized patients (SPs) as an interprofessional learning method. Medical students and faculty reported that experiential learning in practice-based settings is a key component of effective approaches to IPE implementation. At a post-licensure level, practitioners reported significant improvement in attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration in mental health care after participation in IPE. CONCLUSION: IPE in collaborative mental health is feasible, and mental health settings offer practical and useful learning experiences for students, trainees, and practitioners in interprofessional collaboration.

Virtual care and COVID-19: A survey study of adoption, satisfaction and continuing education preferences of healthcare providers in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Introduction: Virtual care has expanded during COVID-19 and enabled continued access to healthcare services. For many healthcare providers, the adoption of virtual care has been a new experience in the provision of healthcare services. The purpose of this survey study was to explore healthcare providers' experiences with virtual care during COVID-19. Methods: A web-based survey-questionnaire was developed by applying Rogers' theory of diffusion of innovation and distributed to healthcare providers (physicians, nurses and allied health professionals) in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada to explore virtual care experiences, satisfaction and continuing professional development (CPD) needs. Analyses included descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of survey responses. Results: Fifty-one percent of respondents (n = 432) indicated they were currently offering virtual care and a majority (68.9%) reported it has improved their work experience. Telephone appointments were preferred over videoconferencing by respondents, with key challenges including the inability to conduct a physical exam, patients' cell phone services being unreliable and patients knowing how to use videoconferencing. Majority of respondents (57.5%) reported quality of care by telephone was lower than in-person, whereas quality of care by videoconferencing was equivalent to in-person. Main benefits of virtual care included increased patient access, ability to work from home, and reduction in no-show appointments. Key supports for adopting virtual care included in-house organizational supports (e.g., technical support staff), local colleague support, and technology training. Important topics for virtual care CPD included complying with regulatory standards/rules, understanding privacy or ethical boundaries, and developing competency and digital professionalism while engaging in virtual care. Discussion: Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual care will have a continuing role in enhancing continuity of care through access that is more convenient. Survey findings reveal a number of opportunities for supporting healthcare providers in use of virtual care, including CPD, guidelines and resources to support adaptation to virtual care provision (e.g., virtual examinations/assessments), as well as patient educational support.

Training family medicine residents to care for children: What is the best approach?

Problem addressed There is a lack of consensus around the optimal way to train family medicine residents to care for children. Objective of program Evaluation of an ambulatory versus an inpatient pediatrics rotation for family medicine residents. Program description A 4-week pediatrics rotation for second-year family medicine residents was introduced involving half-day ambulatory pediatric clinics. A nonequivalent control group evaluation study design was followed. Patient logbook entries, as well as residents' satisfaction, knowledge, and self-reported confidence outcomes were compared between family medicine residents completing the new ambulatory rotation and those completing a traditional inpatient-ambulatory pediatrics rotation. Conclusion An ambulatory rotation in pediatrics is a feasible option for facilitating family medicine resident learning in child health care. Residents report exposure to more patient cases that reflect a family practice office setting and the same level of knowledge and confidence as residents completing an inpatient-ambulatory rotation. Intraprofessional collaboration, flexibility in scheduling, and the support of pediatric preceptors are key factors in the organization and implementation of an ambulatory rotation.

Development and validation of the interprofessional collaborator assessment rubric (ICAR).

There have been increasing calls for a competency-based approach in interprofessional education (IPE). The purpose of this multi-site research project was to develop a validated set of interprofessional collaborator competencies and an associated competency-based assessment rubric, in both English and French languages. The first phase involved a detailed comparative analysis of peer-reviewed and grey literature using typological analysis to construct a draft list of interprofessional collaborator competency categories and statements. A two-round Delphi survey of experts was undertaken to validate these competencies. In the second phase, an assessment rubric was developed based on the validated competencies and then evaluated for utility, clarity, practicality and fairness through multi-site focus groups with students and faculty at both college and university levels. The paper outlines an approach to developing, constructing and validating a bilingual instrument for interprofessional learning and assessment. The approach was collaborative in nature, involving an interprofessional project team and respondents from across multiple health profession education programs. The Delphi survey ratings indicate a high level of agreement with the importance of the competency statements and focus group participants rated the rubric positively and felt it had value. The focus group results were also useful in pre-piloting the contextual application of the instrument across multiple health profession education programs. This rubric instrument may be used across a variety of professions and learning contexts. Future work includes evaluation of further dimensions of validity and reliability for this tool across a variety of settings.

A qualitative study of the international medical graduate and the orientation process.

INTRODUCTION: International medical graduates (IMGs) play an important role in physician resource planning in many countries and are heavily relied on to fill vacancies in underserved communities. New IMGs may experience difficulty with understanding how medicine is organized in new countries. Effective orientation processes can assist new IMGs in making successful transitions to medical practice in their new countries, reducing professional isolation and enhancing the integration of IMGs and their families within their new communities. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore perceptions of, and experiences with, orientation processes for new IMGs. METHODS: A stratified sample of IMGs and senior administrators of medical services from each of the regional health authorities in Newfoundland and Labrador was invited to participate in semistructured telephone interviews. RESULTS: Thirteen general practitioners/family physicians, 6 specialists and 4 administrators were interviewed. New IMGs need to learn about the health care system and the peculiarities of the specific practice context in which they will be working. Orientation needs to include opportunities for reflecting on one's own cultural biases and for learning about the cultural background and beliefs of a new patient population. Mentoring and effective integration within the community also emerged as important components of effective orientation processes. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that orientation processes for new IMGs must be attentive to both professional and personal needs, comprehensive, multifaceted and sustained. Orientation that is responsive to the various needs of new IMGs and their families may contribute to enhanced retention. CONCLUSION: Effective orientation processes are an important means of reducing professional isolation and supporting new IMGs in the transition to medical practice in their new communities.

A responsive evaluation of an Aboriginal nursing education access program.

Nursing education access programs have been introduced in a number of countries to address the shortage of healthcare providers of Aboriginal descent. An evaluation study of a nursing education access program in Labrador, Canada, was undertaken using a Responsive Evaluation approach. Interviews and focus groups with program stakeholders were conducted. Program effectiveness was influenced by culturally relevant curriculum, experiential and authentic learning opportunities, academic and social support, and the need for partnership building between stakeholders. The authors report key findings resulting from the Responsive Evaluation.

Evaluation of an interprofessional continuing professional development initiative in primary health care.

INTRODUCTION: Interest in collaborative care approaches and in interprofessional education (IPE) to prepare providers for interprofessional collaboration is increasing and particularly so in the field of primary health care. Although evidence for the effectiveness of IPE is mixed, Barr et al. (2005) have proposed a useful framework for evaluating six levels of IPE outcomes. The Building a Better Tomorrow Initiative (BBTI) was a continuing professional development (CPD) program established to enhance the collaborative competencies of primary health care providers and foster interprofessional collaboration in primary health care settings. This article describes the evaluation design, specific measures, and educational outcomes of the BBTI program using Barr and colleagues' evaluation framework. METHODS: We used a mixed method approach. The evaluation research design was a one-group, pre- to poststudy utilizing a combination of quantitative and qualitative evaluation instruments and methods to collect data for the six levels of the Barr et al. evaluation framework. Evaluation focused especially on the following levels: participant satisfaction (reaction), confidence change (attitudes), performance change, and organizational impact. RESULTS: Participants were very satisfied with the BBTI modules and reported significant increases in their confidence and interprofessional collaborative competencies upon return to their primary health care practice sites. Interviews and focus groups with participants and administrators suggest that the BBTI modules were also effective in promoting and fostering interprofessional collaboration within primary health care settings. DISCUSSION: Results suggest that interprofessional CPD is effective in enhancing understanding of the roles of other professions, fostering respect and positive attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration, developing collaborative competencies, and promoting organizational change.

Improving collaborative care in managing eating disorders: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the impact of a continuing interprofessional educational workshop focused on eating disorders in a rural area in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), Canada. The pilot study helped determine if the eating disorder workshop was feasible for implementation to a broader audience. A conceptual model developed by our eating disorder team and described in the article guided this innovative program. METHODS: The intensive 2-day workshop was piloted in one community with 41 health and education professionals in attendance. A key element was the focus on creating and sustaining collaborative care for eating disorders. Participants completed pre-post workshop measures of interprofessional attitudes and skills, self-reported knowledge, confidence, and intention to change practice (post questionnaire only). A 6-month follow-up survey measured self-reported practice change. RESULTS: There were significant positive changes in interprofessional attitudes and skills as well as knowledge and confidence in collaborative management of eating disorders. Post-workshop, 69% (n = 24/35) of participants indicated intention to change practice, and on follow-up, 7 of 10 respondents reported implementing changes in practice as a result of the workshop. Low response rate at follow-up was a limitation. DISCUSSION: Results support the impact of the workshop in improving knowledge, confidence, and attitudes toward collaboration and changing practice and the value of implementing the program province-wide.