Research Topic:
In response to needs of older adults at the end-of-life and challenges in the 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 links 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:
Technicians described eShift as a model of care that enhanced their role on the interprofessional healthcare team and they believed their contribution was valued. The technicians received enhanced education in palliative care and applied their education to meet the needs of and build a relationship with the patients and family caregivers and the directing registered nurses.
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 technicians. Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing.