Browsing by Author "Pesut, Barbara"

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    A mixed-method evaluation of a volunteer navigation intervention for older persons living with chronic illness (Nav-CARE): findings from a knowledge translation study
    (2020-10-15) Pesut, Barbara; Duggleby, Wendy; Warner, Grace; Bruce, Paxton; Ghosh, Sunita; Holroyd-Leduc, Jayna; Nekolaichuk, Cheryl; Parmar, Jasneet
    Abstract Background Volunteer navigation is an innovative way to help older persons get connected to resources in their community that they may not know about or have difficulty accessing. Nav-CARE is an intervention in which volunteers, who are trained in navigation, provide services for older persons living at home with chronic illness to improve their quality of life. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of Nav-CARE on volunteers, older persons, and family participating across eight Canadian sites. Methods Nav-CARE was implemented using a knowledge translation approach in eight sites using a 12- or 18-month intervention period. A mixed method evaluation was used to understand the outcomes upon older person engagement; volunteer self-efficacy; and older person, family, and volunteer quality of life and satisfaction with the intervention. Results Older persons and family were highly satisfied with the intervention, citing benefits of social connection and support, help with negotiating the social aspects of healthcare, access to cost-effective resources, and family respite. They were less satisfied with the practical help available for transportation and errands. Older persons self-reported knowledge of the services available to them and confidence in making decisions about their healthcare showed statistically significant improvements (P < .05) over 12–18 months. Volunteers reported satisfaction with their role, particularly as it related to building relationships over time, and good self-efficacy. Volunteer attrition was a result of not recruiting older persons in a timely manner. There was no statistically significant improvement in quality of life for older persons, family or volunteers from baseline to study completion. Conclusions Findings from this study support a developing body of evidence showing the contributions volunteers make to enhanced older person and family well-being in the context of chronic illness. Statistically significant improvements were documented in aspects of client engagement. However, there were no statistically significant improvements in quality of life scores even though qualitative data illustrated very specific positive outcomes of the intervention. Similar findings in other volunteer-led intervention studies raise the question of whether there is a need for targeted volunteer-sensitive outcome measures.
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    The initial validation of an Evidence-informed, competency-based, Applied Compassion Training (EnACT) program: a multimethod study
    (2024-06-21) Sinclair, Shane; Dhingra, Swati; Bouchal, Shelley R.; MacInnis, Cara; Harris, Daranne; Roze des Ordons, Amanda; Pesut, Barbara
    Abstract Introduction Compassion is positively associated with improved patient outcomes, quality care ratings, and healthcare provider wellbeing. Supporting and cultivating healthcare providers’ compassion through robust and meaningful educational initiatives has been impeded by a lack of conceptual clarity, inadequate content coverage across the domains of compassion, and the lack of validated evaluation tools. The EnACT program aims to address these gaps through an Evidence-informed, competency-based, Applied, Compassion Training program delivered to healthcare providers working in various clinical settings. In this study, we describe the development and initial validation of the program, which will inform and be further evaluated in a forthcoming Randomised Controlled feasibility Trial (RCfT). Method A multimethod design was used to explore learner needs, experiences, and outcomes associated with the program. Pre- and post-training surveys and qualitative interviews (1 month post training) were conducted among twenty-six healthcare provider learners working in acute care and hospice. Quantitative measures assessed professional fulfillment/burnout, self-confidence in providing compassion, learner satisfaction, and compassion competence. Qualitative interviews explored learners’ experiences of the program, integration of learnings into their professional practice, and program recommendations. Results Learners exhibited relatively high self-assessed compassion competence and professional fulfillment pre-training and low levels of burnout. Post-training, learners demonstrated high levels of compassion confidence and satisfaction with the training program. Despite high levels of reported compassion competence pre-training, a statistically significant increase in post-training compassion competence was noted. Thematic analysis identified five key themes associated with learners’ overall experience of the training day and integration of the learnings and resources into their professional practice: (1) A beginner’s mind: Learner baseline attitudes and assumptions about the necessity and feasibility of compassion training; (2) Learners’ experiences of the training program; (3) Learner outcomes: integrating theory into practice; (4) Creating cultures of compassion; and (5) Learner feedback. Conclusion Findings suggest that the EnACT program is a feasible, rigorous, and effective training program for enhancing healthcare provider compassion. Its evidence-based, patient-informed, clinically relevant content; interactive in class exercises; learner toolkit; along with its contextualized approach aimed at improving the clinical culture learners practice holds promise for sustaining learnings and clinical impact over time—which will be further evaluated in a Randomized Controlled feasibility Trial (RCfT).