Impact of health service interventions on acute hospital use in community-dwelling persons with dementia: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundPersons with dementia have twice the acute hospital use as older persons without dementia. In addition to straining overburdened healthcare systems, acute hospital use impacts patient and caregiver quality of life and is associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes including death. Reducing avoidable acute hospital use in persons with dementia is thus a global healthcare priority. However, evidence regarding the impact of health service interventions as defined by the Effective Practice and Organization of Care Cochrane Group on acute hospital use is scant and inconclusive. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize available evidence on the impact of health service interventions on acute hospital use in community-dwelling persons with dementia compared to usual care.MethodsData Sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane CENTRAL (from 01/1995 to 08/2017). Study eligibility criteria: Randomised controlled trials measuring the impact of health service interventions on acute hospital use (proportion and mean number of emergency department visits and hospitalisations, mean number of hospital days, measured at 12 months, and at longest follow-up) in community-dwelling persons with dementia, compared to usual care. Study selection, appraisal and synthesis methods: Reviewers independently identified studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias, with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Authors of relevant trials were queried about unpublished data. Random effects model was used for meta-analyses. Effect heterogeneity was assessed through prediction intervals, and explored using sub-group analyses.FindingsSeventeen trials provided data on 4,549 persons. Unpublished data were obtained for 13 trials, representing 65% of synthesized data. Most interventions included a case management or a self-management component. None of the outcome comparisons provided conclusive evidence supporting the hypothesis that these interventions would lead to a decrease in acute hospital use. Furthermore, prediction intervals indicated possible and important increased service use associated with these interventions, such as emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and hospital days. Subgroup analyses did not favour any type of intervention. A limitation of this study is the inclusion of any type of health service intervention, which may have increased the observed heterogeneity.ConclusionDespite a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis, including predominantly unpublished data, no health service intervention beyond usual care was found to reduce acute hospital use in community-dwelling persons with dementia. An important increase in service use may be associated with these interventions. Further research is urgently needed to identify effective interventions for this vulnerable population to limit rising acute hospital use, associated costs and adverse outcomes. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42016046444

The association between the level of institutional support for dementia care in primary care practices and the quality of dementia primary care: A retrospective chart review

Abstract Introduction Institutional support, encompassing financial and training support, as well as interdisciplinary teams, may be important for the quality of dementia primary care for persons living with dementia. The aim of this study was to measure the association between the level of institutional support provided to primary care practices and the quality of dementia care. Methods This was a cross‐sectional chart review in 33 Canadian primary care practices to measure the quality of dementia primary care using a quality of follow‐up score. The score was based on the assessment of 10 indicators. Practices were chosen using a purposeful sampling method with varying levels of institutional support for dementia primary care (e.g., financial support, training, interdisciplinary team). A linear mixed‐effect model was used to measure the association between the level of institutional support and the quality of dementia care. Results There was a significant association between the level of institutional support and the quality of dementia care (mean difference = 23.5, 95% confidence interval: 16.4, 30.6). Discussion Providing more institutional support for primary care practices could be a promising avenue to improve the care of persons living with dementia

Profiles of socially isolated community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A latent class analysis

Sourial N, Beauchet O, Kruglova K, et al. Profiles of socially isolated community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A latent class analysis. Maturitas. 2023;171:1-6

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

Dassieu L, Develay E, Beauchet O, et al. Implementing a Telehealth Support Tool for Community-Dwelling Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Investigation of Provider Experiences. Journal of Aging & Social Policy. 2022:1-18

Understanding and Improving the Care of Older Adults Living with Dementia Across Four Canadian Provinces during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study to Inform Policy and Practices

Introduction: The implications of the COVID-19 pandemic are far reaching for persons living with dementia (PLWD) in the community and in long-term care (LTC), as they are among the most vulnerable. PLWD are at risk for severe COVID-19 and a disruption in accessing supportive and health care due to the confinement measures. Objectives: 1) To measure the impact of the pandemic on health and social services use, mortality, COVID-19 infection where possible of PLWD both in the community and in LTC facilities compared to before the pandemic; 2) To understand PLWDs’ and care partners’ perceived needs, behaviours related to health service use and the experiences of PLWD, care partners, and physicians with health and social services; 3) To generate and disseminate evidence-based and actionable recommendations on effective strategies to address the current pandemic and prepare for subsequent waves. Methods: A convergent mixed-methods design with a participatory approach in 4 Canadian provinces. Objective 1 will use a retrospective observational cohort design to examine administrative health data. Outcomes will include mortality (all-cause; COVID-19 related), health service use and, where possible, infection rates. Objective 2 will use an explanatory multiple case study, with surveys and semi-structured interviews to explore the experiences of PLWD and care partners using health and social services and the role of sociodemographic factors. The third, knowledge translation objective will integrate these results using a deliberative dialogue with key stakeholders (decision-makers, healthcare managers, PLWD, care partners, and clinicians) to develop and disseminate evidence-based recommendations for practice and policy. Impact and conclusion: This project will provide an understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on PLWD and care partners in Canada and highlight areas for improvement.Introduction : La pandémie de COVID-19 a eu de graves conséquences pour les personnes qui présentent des vulnérabilités, particulièrement celles avec un trouble neurocognitif majeur (TNM). Ces dernières risquent à la fois d’avoir une infection grave et de voir leur accès aux soins de santé et services sociaux compromis. Objectifs : Décrire le protocole de notre étude qui vise à : 1) Mesurer l’impact de la pandémie sur l’utilisation des services de santé et des services sociaux, la mortalité, l’infection à la COVID-19 des personnes avec un TNM, lorsque possible, à la fois dans la communauté et dans les établissements de soins de longue durée, comparativement à avant la pandémie, 2) Comprendre les besoins perçus et les comportements relatifs à l’utilisation des services de santé des personnes avec un TNM et des proches aidants, et les expériences des personnes avec un TNM, proches aidants et médecins avec les services de santé et sociaux, et 3) Générer et diffuser des recommandations fondées sur des données probantes portant sur des stratégies efficaces pour faire face à la pandémie actuelle et se préparer aux vagues subséquentes. Méthodes : Une étude à méthodes mixtes convergentes avec approche participative réalisée dans 4 provinces canadiennes. Objectif 1 : nous ferons une étude de cohorte observationnelle rétrospective dans laquelle nous mesurerons la mortalité (toutes causes ; liées à COVID-19), l’utilisation des services de santé, et les taux d’infection dans des banques de données administratives. Objectif 2 : nous ferons une étude de cas multiple explicative, dans laquelle nous conduirons des entretiens semi-structurés et des questionnaires auprès des personnes avec TNM, proches aidants et des cliniciens. Objectif 3 : nous intégrerons les résultats des 2 premiers objectifs à l’aide d’une méta-matrice et conduirons un dialogue délibératif avec des décideurs, gestionnaires, personnes avec TNM, proches aidants et, cliniciens. Impact et conclusion : Ce projet permettra de comprendre l’impact de la pandémie sur les personnes avec TNM et proches aidants canadiens et de souligner les domaines à améliorer

Effective self-management for early career researchers in the natural and life sciences

\u3cp\u3eEarly career researchers (ECRs) are faced with a range of competing pressures in academia, making self-management key to building a successful career. The Organization for Human Brain Mapping undertook a group effort to gather helpful advice for ECRs in self-management.\u3c/p\u3