Research Topic:
In response to the needs of older adults at the end-of-life and challenges in recruitment and retention of healthcare providers in home care in the South West Community Care Access Center, a new and innovative model of home care, eShift, has been developed. eShift connects unregulated care providers (technicians) providing home care to a remotely-situated Directing Registered Nurse (DRN), through a smart phone application using real-time communication and documentation technology. The DRN monitors and directs appropriate, safe, and effective care provided in collaboration with the technician in real-time, enhancing quality of care delivery for older adults and their family caregivers.
Findings:
Directing Registered Nurses described eShift as a model of care that allowed them to meet the needs of the patients and their family caregivers, augmented communication and collaboration among the healthcare team and in turn, enhanced quality of care delivery. In addition, enhanced workplace satisfaction was reported by the DRNs working within the eShift model of care.
This project is supported by a team of researchers & led by co-principal investigators:
Lorie Donelle, RN, PhD, Associate Professor, Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing and School of Health Studies, Western University. ldonelle@uwo.ca
Sandra Regan, RN, PhD, Associate Professor, Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University. sregan4@uwo.ca
Suggested Citation:
Donelle, L., Regan, S. (2016, March). E-shift, an innovative home care model: Perceptions of directing registered nurses. Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing.