Browsing by Author "Makarski, Julie"

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    Improving KT tools and products: development and evaluation of a framework for creating optimized, Knowledge-activated Tools (KaT)
    (2020-05-08) Kastner, Monika; Makarski, Julie; Hayden, Leigh; Lai, Yonda; Chan, Joyce; Treister, Victoria; Harris, Kegan; Munce, Sarah; Holroyd-Leduc, Jayna; Graham, Ian D; Straus, Sharon E
    Abstract Background Positive impacts of quality improvement initiatives on health care and services have not been substantial. Knowledge translation (KT) strategies (tools, products and interventions) strive to facilitate the uptake of knowledge thereby the potential to improve care, but there is little guidance on how to develop them. Existing KT guidance or planning tools fall short in operationalizing all aspects of KT practice activities conducted by knowledge users (researchers, clinicians, patients, decision-makers), and most do not consider their variable needs or to deliver recommendations that are most relevant and useful for them. Methods We conducted a 3-phase study. In phase 1, we used several sources to develop a conceptual framework for creating optimized Knowledge-activated Tools (KaT) (consultation with our integrated KT team, the use of existing KT models and frameworks, findings of a systematic review of multimorbidity interventions and a literature review and document analysis on existing KT guidance tools). In phase 2, we invited KT experts to participate in a Delphi study to refine and evaluate the conceptual KaT framework. In phase 3, we administered an online survey to knowledge users (researchers, clinicians, decision-makers, trainees) to evaluate the potential usefulness of an online mock-up version of the KaT framework. Results We developed the conceptual KaT framework, and iteratively refined it with 35 KT experts in a 3-round Delphi study. The final framework represents the blueprint for what is needed to create KT strategies. Feedback from 201 researcher, clinician, decision-maker and trainee knowledge users on the potential need and usefulness of an online, interactive version of KaT indicated that they liked the idea of it (mean score 4.36 on a 5-point Likert scale) and its proposed features (mean score range 4.30–4.79). Conclusions Our findings suggest that mostly Canadian KT experts and knowledge users perceived the KaT framework and the future development of an online, interactive version to be important and needed. We anticipate that the KaT framework will provide clarity for knowledge users about how to identify their KT needs and what activities can address these needs, and to help streamline the process of these activities to facilitate efficient uptake of knowledge.
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    Interventions that have potential to help older adults living with social frailty: a systematic scoping review
    (2024-06-15) Kastner, Monika; Herrington, Isabella; Makarski, Julie; Amog, Krystle; Bain, Tejia; Evangelista, Vianca; Hayden, Leigh; Gruber, Alexa; Sutherland, Justin; Sirkin, Amy; Perrier, Laure; Graham, Ian D.; Greiver, Michelle; Honsberger, Joan; Hynes, Mary; Macfarlane, Charlie; Prasaud, Leela; Sklar, Barbara; Twohig, Margo; Liu, Barbara; Munce, Sarah; Marr, Sharon; O’Neill, Braden; Papaioannou, Alexandra; Seaton, Bianca; Straus, Sharon E.; Dainty, Katie; Holroyd-Leduc, Jayna
    Abstract Background The impact of social frailty on older adults is profound including mortality risk, functional decline, falls, and disability. However, effective strategies that respond to the needs of socially frail older adults are lacking and few studies have unpacked how social determinants operate or how interventions can be adapted during periods requiring social distancing and isolation such as the COVID-19 pandemic. To address these gaps, we conducted a scoping review using JBI methodology to identify interventions that have the best potential to help socially frail older adults (age ≥65 years). Methods We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL (EPSCO), EMBASE and COVID-19 databases and the grey literature. Eligibility criteria were developed using the PICOS framework. Our results were summarized descriptively according to study, patient, intervention and outcome characteristics. Data synthesis involved charting and categorizing identified interventions using a social frailty framework.  Results Of 263 included studies, we identified 495 interventions involving ~124,498 older adults who were mostly female. The largest proportion of older adults (40.5%) had a mean age range of 70-79 years. The 495 interventions were spread across four social frailty domains: social resource (40%), self-management (32%), social behavioural activity (28%), and general resource (0.4%). Of these, 189 interventions were effective for improving loneliness, social and health and wellbeing outcomes across psychological self-management, self-management education, leisure activity, physical activity, Information Communication Technology and socially assistive robot interventions. Sixty-three interventions were identified as feasible to be adapted during infectious disease outbreaks (e.g., COVID-19, flu) to help socially frail older adults. Conclusions Our scoping review identified promising interventions with the best potential to help older adults living with social frailty.