Chronic Disease Management in a Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic: An Interpretive Description Study

Statement of research problem: Nurse practitioner led clinics (NPLC) in Ontario (ON) represent a model of care that is potentially well-situated to improve primary healthcare delivery. There is currently limited knowledge about this model of cares impact on patients with chronic disease. This study explored current chronic disease management practices implemented by Nurse Practitioners (NP) within NPLCs across ON. Methods: Using a qualitative interpretive description methodology, eleven in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with nurse practitioners practicing within NPLCs in Ontario. Results: Results indicate NPLCs successfully support patients with chronic disease through provision of on-site multidisciplinary care, continuity in service provision and increased access to primary healthcare services. Conclusions: Findings suggest that NPLCs are beneficial in supporting patients to manage chronic disease. This paper provides insights into the NP-led primary healthcare model and how it can facilitate access to services, foster patient self-management and provide a successful alternative model of care

Health Provider Experiences in Supporting Social Connectedness Between Families and Older Adults Living in Long-Term Care Homes

INTRODUCTION: Many people, often older adults, living in long-term care homes (OA-LTCH) became socially isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic due to variable restrictions on in-person visits and challenges associated with using technology for social connectivity. Health providers were key to supporting these OA by providing additional care and facilitating their connections with family using technology such as smartphones and iPads. It is important to learn from these experiences to move forwards from the COVID-19 pandemic with evidence-informed strategies that will better position health providers to foster social engagement for OA-LTCH across a range of contextual situations. OBJECTIVE: This exploratory qualitative description study sought to explore health provider experiences in supporting social connectedness between family members and OA-LTCH within the COVID-19 context. METHODS: Qualitative, in-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 health providers. RESULTS: Using inductive qualitative content analysis study findings were represented by the following themes: (a) changes in provider roles and responsibilities while challenging for health providers did not impact their commitment to supporting OA-LTCH social and emotional health, (b) a predominant focus on OA-LTCH physical well-being with resultant neglect for emotional well-being resulted in collective trauma, and (c) health providers faced multiple challenges in using technology to support social connectivity. CONCLUSION: Study findings suggest the need for increased funding for LTC to support activities and initiatives that promote the well-being of health providers and OA living in LTC, the need to prioritize social well-being during outbreak contexts, and more formalized approaches to guide the appropriate use of technology within LTC

Social Connectedness Between Family Caregivers and Older Adults Living in Long-Term Care Homes in the Context of COVID-19

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and resulting restrictions on physical access to long-term care homes culminated in health declines for older adults living there and their families. Knowledge gaps exist regarding maintaining social connectedness when physically separated. The study aimed to explore family members\u27 perceptions of the impact that restrictions on physical access to long-term care homes had on the experience of social connectedness between family members and older adults living in long-term care. The method used was a qualitative description, using in-depth semi-structured interviews. Themes arising from inductive qualitative content analysis of 21 interviews with family members included: (a) lack of connection threatening mental, emotional health, and physical health; (b) navigating trust in the unknown; (c) feelings of stress and anxiety for family members; and (d) technology - an asset, but not for everyone. Study findings suggest more emphasis should be placed on supporting social connections between older adults and their families in the context of long-term care beyond COVID-19

Isotopic analysis: How our community analyzes soil and plant water samples for their isotopic composition

As part of a project to develop a common methodological framework for water sampling, extraction, and isotopic analysis to study vegetation water use, we conducted an informal survey of current practices.  A simple questionnaire via Google form was sent out to all members of the WATer isotopeS in the critical zONE (WATSON) European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action (#19120, 2020-2024) between July and September 2021. In this repository, we've included a brief write-up of this survey and the survey data