Isabelle Brault
Université de Montréal, Canada
Title: A knowledge exchange network for better discharge planning in oncology
Biography
Biography: Isabelle Brault
Abstract
Despite numerous initiatives to improve transitional care for patients with chronic diseases such as cancer, clinical teams and patients still encounter some difficulties during these transitions. Challenges persist in health care transfers, follow-up, support and communication between health care professionals. To address these issues and to facilitate access to best practices our research team has developed a web 2.0 Knowledge Exchange Portal. This presentation aim to outline the development and implementation processes of the web Knowledge Exchange Portal. The Knowledge Exchange Portal (KEP) is an interdisciplinary online platform that brings together researchers, nurses, doctors, decision-makers and patients in a new space to share scientific and experiential knowledge and improve discharge and care transition planning in oncology.This study uses a participative methodology and is conducted in six clinical settings that span the continuum of care in oncology. Patient partners are an integral part of the implementation process, as active participants rather than in a simply advisory role. Our results shows that the knowledge exchange network has improved transitions between the different phases of the care continuum. The co-construction of knowledge stemming from this clinical research study should lead to a renewal of clinical practices and thus guide clinical decision-making in multidisciplinary teams and patients.