title: Identifying research priorities in long term care homes.
abstract: Concerns about the quality of care in long term care (LTC) homes range from inadequate daily care to understaffing and insufficient funding. LTC decision makers are challenged to keep up with the changing demographics of residents admitted to LTC who have increasingly complex care needs. Decisions regarding LTC policies and procedures need to be informed by research that identifies the most effective and efficient care practices. This study solicited feedback from LTC decision makers in Ontario, Canada, regarding research priorities to guide improvement in the quality of care in LTC homes. Representatives from 134 LTC homes responded (53.6% response rate). Nine thematic areas of research were identified: delivery of care; staffing; organization and structure of homes; funding; indicators, standards, policies, and procedures; managing difficult behaviors; education; safety; and infectious disease control. It is anticipated that these themes will steer research down a path that is responsive to the information needs of practitioners in LTC homes.
authors.affiliation: St. Joseph's Health System Research Network, Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Division of Palliative Care, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada. brazilk@mcmaster.ca
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brazil
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maitland
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ploeg
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Denton
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005246:Feedback; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000191:economics; D009864:Ontario; D011050:Policy Making; D058996:Quality Improvement; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce