A mixed-method evaluation of a volunteer navigation intervention for older persons living with chronic illness (Nav-CARE): findings from a knowledge translation study

BMC Palliative Care

Cheryl Nekolaichuk¹  Grace Warner²  Jasneet Parmar³  Wendy Duggleby⁴  Sunita Ghosh⁵  Barbara Pesut⁶  Paxton Bruce⁷  Jayna Holroyd-Leduc⁸ 

[1] Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, c/o Palliative Institute, Health Services Centre, DC-404, 1090 Youville Drive West, Edmonton, AB, Canada;School of Occupational Therapy, Dalhousie University, P.O. Box 15000, B3H 4R2, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada;Specialized Geriatrics Program, Department of Family Medicine University of AB, Medical Lead, Home Living and Transitions, AHS EZ Continuing Care, c/o Grey Nuns Community Hospital, 416 St. Marguerite Health Services Centre, 1090 Youville Drive West, T6L 0A3, Edmonton, AB, Canada;University of Alberta, 3-141 ECHA 11405 87th ave, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada;University of Alberta/Alberta Health Services, 11560 University Ave, Edmonton, AB, Canada;University of British Columbia Okanagan, 1147 Research Road, Arts 3rd Floor, V1V 1V7, Kelowna, BC, Canada;University of British Columbia Okanagan, 1147 Research Road. Arts 3rd Floor, V1V 1V7, Kelowna, BC, Canada;University of Calgary, 1403 29th Street NW, Calgary, AB, Canada;

关键词: Volunteers;    Palliative;    Older persons;    Navigation;    Hospice;    Quality of life;    Family caregivers;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12904-020-00666-2

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundVolunteer navigation is an innovative way to help older persons get connected to resources in their community that they may not know about or have difficulty accessing. Nav-CARE is an intervention in which volunteers, who are trained in navigation, provide services for older persons living at home with chronic illness to improve their quality of life. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of Nav-CARE on volunteers, older persons, and family participating across eight Canadian sites.MethodsNav-CARE was implemented using a knowledge translation approach in eight sites using a 12- or 18-month intervention period. A mixed method evaluation was used to understand the outcomes upon older person engagement; volunteer self-efficacy; and older person, family, and volunteer quality of life and satisfaction with the intervention.ResultsOlder persons and family were highly satisfied with the intervention, citing benefits of social connection and support, help with negotiating the social aspects of healthcare, access to cost-effective resources, and family respite. They were less satisfied with the practical help available for transportation and errands. Older persons self-reported knowledge of the services available to them and confidence in making decisions about their healthcare showed statistically significant improvements (P < .05) over 12–18 months. Volunteers reported satisfaction with their role, particularly as it related to building relationships over time, and good self-efficacy. Volunteer attrition was a result of not recruiting older persons in a timely manner. There was no statistically significant improvement in quality of life for older persons, family or volunteers from baseline to study completion.ConclusionsFindings from this study support a developing body of evidence showing the contributions volunteers make to enhanced older person and family well-being in the context of chronic illness. Statistically significant improvements were documented in aspects of client engagement. However, there were no statistically significant improvements in quality of life scores even though qualitative data illustrated very specific positive outcomes of the intervention. Similar findings in other volunteer-led intervention studies raise the question of whether there is a need for targeted volunteer-sensitive outcome measures.

【 授权许可】

CC BY