Cross-Sector Collaboration to Improve Access to Community Services for People Living With Diabetes: Contributions From Actor-Network Theory.

Diabetes is a global public health issue. The Public Health Agency of Canada published a Diabetes Framework 2022 which recommends collaborative work across sectors to mitigate the impact of diabetes on health and quality of life. Since 2020, the INMED-COMMUNITY pathway has been implemented in Laval, Québec developing collaboration between healthcare and community sectors through a participatory action research approach. The aim of this article is to gain a better understanding of the INMED-COMMUNITY pathway implementation process, based on the mobilization of network actor theory. Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted from January to March 2023 with 12 participants from 3 different sectors (community, health system, research), were carried out using actor-network theory. The results explored the conditions for effective intersectoral collaboration in a participatory action research approach to implement the INMED-COMMUNITY pathway. These were: (1) contextualization of the project, (2) a consultation approach involving various stakeholders, (3) creation of new partnerships, (4) presence of a project coordinator, and (5) mobilization of stakeholders around a common definition of diabetes. Mediation supported by a project coordinator contributed to the implementation of an intersectoral collaborative health intervention, largely due to early identification of controversies.

Measuring the Optimal Time Interval Between Arrival and First Mental Health Evaluation's for Refugees in Québec: A Scoping Review.

To map the state of the existing literature to identify the optimal time frame between the arrival of refugees in a host country and psychosocial assessments. We conducted scoping review using the method of Arksey and O'Malley (2005). A systematic search of 5 databases including PubMed, Psycinfo (OVID), PsycINFO BD APA, Scopus and Web of Sciences) and grey literature identified 2698 references. Thirteen studies published between 2010 and 2021 were considered eligible. A data extraction grid was designed and tested by the research team. It is not so ease to identify the most appropriate time interval to assess the mental health of newly settled refugees. All the studies selected agree on the need to carry out an initial assessment when refugees arrive in their host country. Several authors agree on the need to carry out screening at least twice during the resettlement period. However, what is less clear is the best time to perform the second screening. This scoping review mainly helped in highlighting the lack of probing data on the mental health indicators focused on during the assessment and on the optimal timeline for the assessment of refugees. Further research is needed to determine whether developmental and psychological screening is beneficial, the right time to perform the screening, and the most appropriate collection instruments and interventions.

Interventions to Improve Trainers' Learning and Behaviors for Educating Health Care Professionals Using Train-the-Trainer Method: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Train-the-trainer (TTT) programs are frequently used to facilitate knowledge dissemination. However, little is known about the effectiveness of these programs. Therefore, we sought to assess the impact of TTT programs on learning and behavior of trainers for educating health and social professionals (trainees). METHODS: Guided by the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care, we conducted a systematic review. We searched 12 databases until April 2018 and extracted data according to the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome model. Population was defined as trainers delivering training program to health care professionals, and the intervention consists in any organized activity provided by a trainer. There were no restrictive comparators, and outcomes were knowledge, attitude, skill, confidence, commitment, and behavior of trainers. We estimated the pooled effect size and its 95% confidence interval using a random-effect model. We performed a narrative synthesis when meta-analysis was not possible. RESULTS: Of 11,202 potentially eligible references, we identified 16 unique studies. Studies were mostly controlled before-and-after studies and covered a unique training intervention. Targeted trainers were mostly nurses (n = 10) and physicians (n = 5). The most frequent measured outcome was knowledge (n = 12). TTT programs demonstrated significant effect on knowledge (Standardized mean deviation = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.11-1.06; I2 = 90%; P < .01; 10 studies). No studies measured trainers' ability to deliver the training program. DISCUSSION: TTT programs may improve the knowledge of trainers. However, the heterogeneity and small number of studies hamper our ability to draw conclusions that are more robust.

High Users of Healthcare Services: Development and Alpha Testing of a Patient Decision Aid for Case Management.

BACKGROUND: Some patients with complex healthcare needs become high users of healthcare services. Case management allows these patients and their interprofessional team to work together to evaluate their needs, priorities and available resources. High-user patients must make an informed decision when choosing whether to engage in case management and currently there is no tool to support them. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop and conduct a pilot alpha testing of a patient decision aid that supports high-user patients with complex needs and the teams who guide those patients in shared decision making when engaging in case management. METHODS: We chose a user-centered design to co-develop a patient decision aid with stakeholders informed by the Ottawa Research Institute and International Patient Decision Aid Standards frameworks. Perceptions and preferences for the patient decision aid's content and format were assessed with patients and clinicians and were iteratively collected through interviews and focus groups. We developed a prototype and assessed its acceptability by using a think-aloud method and a questionnaire with three patient-partners, six clinicians and seven high-user patients with complex needs. RESULTS: The three rounds of evaluation to assess the decision aid's acceptability highlighted comments related to simplicity, readability and visual aspect. A section presenting clinical vignettes including story telling was identified as the most helpful. CONCLUSIONS: We created and evaluated a patient decision aid. Considering the positive comments, we believe that this aid has the potential to help high-user patients with complex care needs make better choices concerning case management.

Some patients are living with physical and mental health problems. They also may have handicaps and unsuitable backgrounds. This may lead them to use health services more often. Case management is a service offered by a team of health professionals. They help patients to decide what is important to them based on their values and preferences. Currently, no tools exist for that service. We built and assessed a tool to support patients in their decisions. With this tool, they think about engaging in case management or continuing with usual care. They can also postpone their decision to a later time. This tool will present data based on scientific studies about case management. It will help patients to clarify their values and preferences to make the best decision for them. This tool was built with a team of researchers, healthcare professionals, managers and patient-partners. It was built according to several guidelines. We met participants and they answered questions that helped us to build our tool. We also ensured the tool was acceptable to them. The most frequent comments were to make it simpler and to use simple vocabulary. The look was also important for the participants. The latter found that the section where patients could write their own story was useful. Patients also found that reading stories about other patients like them was helpful. Our tool will help patients with complex care needs make better choices concerning their health based on their values and scientific data.

Decisional needs assessment of patients with complex care needs in primary care.

RATIONALE: Patients with complex care needs who frequently use health services often face challenges in managing their health and with integrated care, leading to frequent decision making. These complex care needs require a good understanding of health issues and their impact on daily life. As the decisional needs of this particular clientele have yet to be described in scientific literature, they warrant further study. OBJECTIVES: To assess the decision-making needs of patients with complex care needs (PCCN) who frequently use health care services. METHODS: We performed a multicenter cross-sectional qualitative descriptive study in four institutions of the health and social services network of Quebec (Canada). We enrolled a convenience sample of PCCNs who frequently use health care services, health care providers, case managers, and decision-makers. We conducted interviews and focus groups and investigated decisional needs according to the Ottawa decision support framework: roles played and desired in the decision-making process, facilitators, and barriers. We conducted qualitative data collection and qualitative deductive/inductive thematic analysis within and across participating groups. RESULTS: In total, 16 patients, 38 clinicians, six case managers, and 14 decision-makers participated in the study. The decisional needs of this clientele are numerous, varied and different from those of the general population. We identified 26 decisional needs grouped under five themes. The most frequent decisions related to visiting the emergency department, moving to a nursing home, and adhering to a plan or treatment. In addition, we identified new themes such as patients' fear and mistrust of health professionals, differences of opinion between health professionals and health professionals' preconceived opinions of patients. CONCLUSION: We observed a wide range of types of decisions that patients face and differences in decision-making needs across participating groups. Our results should inform future research on the development of a patient decision aid tool.