E4-a- Time to Talk – A Toolkit to Engage Caregivers and Providers in Primary Care

Theme 4. The “How to” stream

  • Date: Thursday October 25, 2018
  • Concurrent Session E
  • Time: 11:00-11:45am
  • Room: Pier 4
  • Style: Panel Discussion (in addition to providing information, panelists interact with one another to explore/debate a topic)
  • Focus: Practical (e.g. Presentation on how to implement programs and/or practices in the team environment)
  • Target Audience: Leadership (ED, clinical lead, board chair, board member, etc.), Clinical providers, Administrative staff

Learning Objectives The three key learning objectives of this session are:

  • To understand why caregivers are important in care
  • To learn how we engaged family health team providers in the development of an awareness toolkit in primary care
  • To demonstrate how family health teams can collaborate with caregivers to improve quality of care

Summary/Abstract Connecting the Dots for Caregivers aims to improve awareness and recognition, information exchange and communication between caregivers and providers.  It is a collaborative partnership between The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance, Alzheimer’s Society of Perth County, North Perth Family Health Team, One Care Home and Community Support Services, South West Local Health Integration Network and STAR Family Health Team.  The project is funded by The Change Foundation and supports improving the caregiver experience. During the first phase of the initiative, ‘The Time to Talk’ toolkit was launched at STAR Family Health Team to raise awareness of the role of family caregiver, and to build support for both family caregivers and healthcare providers. A collection of tools are currently being piloted at STAR Family Health Team before being rolled out to partner organizations.  This innovative initiative was co-designed by caregivers and healthcare providers with support from the project team members.   Various techniques used to engage providers throughout the process will be shared.  This initiative will be evaluated, improved if necessary, and then expanded to the other organizations. Presenters

  • Erin Heisz, Family Physician, STAR Family Health Team
  • Heidi Didiomete, Family Caregiver
  • Catherine Walsh, RN, BScN, MSc-Co-Design Lead/Educator, Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance
  • Mary Atkinson-RN, BSc, MBA, CHE Executive Director-North Perth Family Health Team
  • Michelle Carter, MRT (ACR), BHSc Quality Improvement Specialist, Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance

Authors/Contributors:

  • Mary Atkinson-RN, BSc, MBA, CHE Executive Director-North Perth Family Health Team
  • Monique Hancock- Executive Director- STAR Family Health Team
  • Harpreet Bassi and/or Michelle Carter- Moderators, Senior Program Associate-Change Foundation/ Quality Improvement Specialist- Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance
  • Michelle Carter, MRT (ACR), BHSc Quality Improvement Specialist, Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance
  • Jennifer Hubbard, Project Manager, Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance
  • Samantha McRae, Co-Design Lead Educator, Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance
  • Danielle Van Duzer, Communications Specialist
  • Catherine Walsh, RN, BScN, MSc-Co-Design Lead/Educator, Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance