Michael Johnny Archives | Research & Innovation

CIHR-funded nursing study finds specialized senior care delivers best hospital outcomes

fmaquito — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Seniors receiving hospital care in acute care for elders units have shorter hospital stays, experience fewer declines in physical functioning and are less likely to be discharged to a nursing home than when treated in regular hospital units. This is one of the preliminary findings of a -funded study led at 91��ɫ.

The researchers systematically screened more than 50,000 articles on existing studies of acute care for elders interventions, and included 63 different studies in either a narrative or meta-analysis.

91��ɫ nursing Professor Mary Fox, the study's principal investigator, unveiled the preliminary findings at 91��ɫ Central Hospital recently, while Michael Johnny of the Knowledge Mobilization (KM) unit provided KMb strategies to help the hospital determine how to disseminate the information.

Above: Mary Fox with participants at the unveiling at 91��ɫ Central Hospital

The goal of the research is to develop senior-friendly hospitals by informing and engaging decision makers about the best interventions to prevent functional cognitive, social and physical decline in older adults when they are hospitalized. Seventy-five per cent of people age 65 and older have two chronic illnesses and that can lead to a sudden worsening of their condition requiring hospitalization, says Fox.

Right: Mary Fox

“Sixty-two per cent of all day beds in acute care are filled with people 65 years of age and older and they make up only 13 per cent of the population. They really are the core care customer for acute care hospitals,” she says. “My role is to get the evidence and engage the decision makers and researchers in interpreting it for their context. We’re not just rolling it out, but engaging them from the very beginning so the information will be more useful.”

Left: Deborah Tregunno

The study also looked at what the system needs to provide and what interventions are needed to best serve seniors in acute care hospitals.

“I was interested in the study because there is really a lot of evidence that says when older people visit hospitals, they are at risk of experiencing bad outcomes,” says Fox. “The poor outcomes are not related to their illness, but to other things, like not getting up and walking around while in the hospital or not eating well. There are things that fall through the cracks.”

91��ɫ Central Hospital is interested in knowing what those things are so they can provide even better care for older adults.

Professor Deborah Tregunno and Professor Malini Persaud, a former post-doctoral fellow, both of 91��ɫ's School of Nursing in the Faculty of Health, along with 91��ɫ librarian IIo-Katryn Maimets and researchers from Ryerson University and the University of Toronto, were co-investigators of the study.

The team also included Michael Johnny, Andrea England, director of research and partnerships in the Faculty of Health, 91��ɫ adjunct librarian Angela Hamiton and decision-making partners Tiziana Rivera, chief practice officer at 91��ɫ Central Hospital, and Dr. Mary Ferguson-Paré, former vice-president of professional affairs and chief nurse executive at University Health Network.

By Sandra McLean, YFile writer

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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Knowledge Mobilization launches 28 new ResearchSnapshots; part of United Way of 91��ɫ Region partnership

fmaquito — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 08:00:00 +0000

91��ɫ’s Knowledge Mobilization (KMb) Unit is expanding its repository of clear language research summaries – RsearchSnapshots – as part of its mandate to maximize the impact of research.

Using peer-reviewed 91��ɫ research, students working within the KMb Unit developed 28 new summaries over the summer. This brings the existing searchable of ResearchSnapshots to over 120 summaries.

The KMb Unit focused on three priorities identified by one of 91��ɫ’s leading partners, the United Way of 91��ɫ Region (UWYR).

The are:

Helping youth grow up strong.
Enabling individuals and families to achieve economic independence.
Improving the well-being of individuals and communities.

These research summaries provide the United Way and its network of member agencies with an important foundation for decision making and policy setting.

“Having access to relevant research strengthens UWYR’s capacity to make evidence-based decisions, and informs the planning and delivery of our strategic investments in communities of rapid growth,” says Daniele Zanotti, CEO of the UWYR.

This is the third year that the KMb Unit has developed ResearchSnapshots based on 91��ɫ research, and the project has attracted notice and enthusiasm among the wider community.

“I was able to include the research summary of the 91��ɫ Region Infrastructure project in my PowerPoint presentation,” says Joanna French, a researcher for the . “It provided a succinct, pertinent and accessible way to introduce academic research into my presentation.”

Visit Knowledge Mobilization’s website for more information about how the unit works with 91��ɫ researchers, community agencies, government and the private sector.

Submitted by Michael Johnny, manager of 91��ɫ’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit

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LA&PS series on why research matters to feature 91��ɫ's Knowledge Mobilization Program (KMb)

fmaquito — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0000

It’s been a year of research-intensive events and activities in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and one of the most notable initiatives has been the Research Matters series. It attempts to answer the question: “Why does research matter?” In particular, it focuses on the ways in which LA&PS researchers – both faculty and students – are using their skills and expertise to address timely community, cultural, social, economic and industry challenges.

Missed out on a Research Matters session? Videos and audio files are available online.

There are two more Research Matters sessions scheduled this year, open to the 91��ɫ community. The first, which will be held on March 24 from 10am to noon in 109 Atkinson Building, takes up the theme of knowledge mobilization. Michael Johnny, manager of 91��ɫ’s Unit, will provide general insights into what knowledge mobilization is and how it ties to LA&PS researchers. Professor from the School of Social Work will discuss his knowledge mobilization efforts in the field of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender research.

The second session will be held on April 19 from 10am to noon in 305 91��ɫ Lanes and will focus on human rights, international law and global health policy. Political science Professor Lesley Jacobs, director of the , will present in collaboration with four emerging 91��ɫ scholars: Hope Olumide Shamonda (PhD candidate in philosophy); (PhD candidate in philosophy); Ruby Dhand (PhD candidate in law); and Mariette Brennan (PhD candidate in law).

The series has also explored topics ranging from pandemic planning, indigenous research and China’s competitive advantage in the world market to the grammar of aid in international development, community engagement as methodological practice, and, most recently, the value of Canada’s North.

“One of the highlights of the year for me in the role of associate dean, research, has been the launch of this series,” says Professor Barbara Crow. “I’ve gained helpful insight into the individual and collaborative research undertakings of faculty and students, and enjoyed watching connections being made between academic research and what’s going on in our communities, our workplaces and our lives.”

To RSVP for either of the upcoming sessions, e-mail Lorraine Myrie at lmyrie@yorku.ca.

Republished with files courtesy of YFile – 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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