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. 2023 Mar 21;63(3):478-489.
doi: 10.1093/geront/gnac154.

Video Conferencing With Residents and Families for Care Planning During COVID-19: Experiences in Canadian Long-Term Care

Denise Connelly  1 , Melissa Hay  1 , Anna Garnett  2 , Lillian Hung  3 , Marie-Lee Yous  4 , Cherie Furlan-Craievich  5 , Shannon Snelgrove  6 , Melissa Babcock  5 , Jacqueline Ripley  6 , Nancy Snobelen  7 , Harrison Gao  8 , Ruthie Zhuang  8 , Pam Hamilton  9 , Cathy Sturdy-Smith  9 , Maureen O'Connell  9
Affiliations

Video Conferencing With Residents and Families for Care Planning During COVID-19: Experiences in Canadian Long-Term Care

Denise Connelly et al. Gerontologist. .

Abstract

Background and objectives: Government-mandated health and safety restrictions to mitigate the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) intensified challenges in caring for older adults in long-term care (LTC) without family/care partners. This article describes the experiences of a multidisciplinary research team in implementing an evidence-based intervention for family-centered, team-based, virtual care planning-PIECESTM approach-into clinical practice. We highlight challenges and considerations for implementation science to support care practices for older adults in LTC, their families, and the workforce.

Research design and methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used. Data included meetings with LTC directors and Registered Practical Nurses (i.e., licensed nurse who graduated with a 2-year diploma program that allows them to provide basic nursing care); one-on-one interviews with family/care partners, residents, Registered Practical Nurses, and PIECES mentors; and reflections of the academic team. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research provided sensitizing constructs for deductive coding, while an inductive approach also allowed themes to emerge.

Results: Findings highlighted how aspects related to planning, engagement, execution, reflection, and evaluation influenced the implementation process from the perspectives of stakeholders. Involving expert partners on the research team to bridge research and practice, developing relationships from a distance, empowering frontline champions, and adapting to challenging circumstances led to shared commitments for intervention success.

Discussion and implications: Lessons learned include the significance of stakeholder involvement throughout all research activities, the importance of clarity around expectations of all team members, and the consequence of readiness for implementation with respect to circumstances (e.g., COVID-19) and capacity for change.

Keywords: Family engagement; Implementation science; PIECES; Virtual care.

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Conflict of interest statement

Nancy Snobelen is a research consultant contracted to WeRPN to design and implement WeRPN’s research strategic plan to encourage and pursue research involving registered practical nurses. Dr. Snobelen served as a member of the research team as in-kind resources from WeRPN to support the research, and conduct knowledge translation and exchange activities for WeRPN members and non-members.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Description of PIECES. LTC = long-term care.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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