| Title | Data sharing between home care professionals: a feasibility study using the RAI Home Care instrument |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2014 |
| Authors | Guthrie DM, Pitman R, Fletcher PC, Hirdes JP, Stolee P, Poss JW, Papaioannou A, Berg K, Ezekiel HJanzen |
| Journal | BMC Geriatrics |
| Volume | 14 |
| Pagination | 81-81 |
| Date Published | 06/30<br/>09/23/received<br/>06/20/accepted |
| ISBN Number | 1471-2318 |
| Accession Number | PMC4083131 |
| Abstract | BACKGROUND: Across Ontario, home care professionals collect standardized information on each client using the Resident Assessment for Home Care (RAI-HC). However, this information is not consistently shared with those professionals who provide services in the client’s home. In this pilot study, we examined the feasibility of sharing data, from the RAI-HC, between care coordinators and service providers. METHODS: All participants were involved in a one-day training session on the RAI-HC. The care coordinators shared specific outputs from the RAI-HC, including the embedded health index scales, with their contracted physiotherapy and occupational therapy service providers. Two focus groups were held, one with care coordinators (n = 4) and one with contracted service providers (n = 6). They were asked for their opinions on the positive aspects of the project and areas for improvement. RESULTS: The focus groups revealed a number of positive outcomes related to the project including the use of a falls prevention brochure and an increased level of communication between professionals. The participants also cited multiple areas for improvement related to data sharing (e.g., time constraints, data being sent in a timely fashion) and to their standard practices in the community (e.g., busy workloads, difficulties in data sharing, duplication of assessments between professionals). CONCLUSIONS: Home care professionals were able to share select pieces of information generated from the RAI-HC system and this project enhanced the level of communication between the two groups of professionals. However, a single information session was not adequate training for the rehabilitation professionals, who do not use the RAI-HC as part of normal practice. Better education, ongoing support and timely access to the RAI-HC data are some ways to improve the usefulness of this information for busy home care providers. |
| DOI | 10.1186/1471-2318-14-81 |
| Link |
