Context In Alberta, recommendations set out by the provincial regulatory college state that when a chaperone is used, this should be documented in the patient’s medical record. How family physicians are applying this guidance in their daily practice is unknown.

Objective To examine whether and how family physicians are documenting the use of chaperones, how aware family physicians are of provincial recommendations regarding chaperone use, and how provincial guidance influences family physicians’ decisions about chaperone use.

Design Mixed methods design. Data on documentation practices and awareness of provincial recommendations were collected by cross-sectional survey, with analysis using SPSS statistical software. Data on influencing factors were collected through individual interviews that underwent thematic analysis by the constant comparison method.

Setting Calgary, Alta.

Participants Survey participants included 438 family physicians. Interview participants included 17 family physicians in 3 academic, community-based Calgary teaching clinics.

Results There were 353 surveys used for analysis (30% response rate), and 17 individual interviews were completed. Survey results showed that 67% of respondents never or rarely documented the offer of a chaperone and most physicians never or rarely documented whether a chaperone was used. Sex differences were noted, with male physicians being more likely to document chaperone use (P < .001). Interview findings suggested physician reasoning around documentation varied and included individual physician standard of practice, anticipation of concern, patient choice, and other patient factors. Survey results demonstrated that only 25% of respondents were aware of provincial recommendations. This was supported by interview findings, which also showed that, while many did not use the recommendations in determining chaperone use, others used them as a way to counsel patients that a chaperone was required.

Conclusion Documentation of chaperone use and application of provincial guidance are variable. Most physicians do not document chaperone use and physician sex might affect documentation practices.

Objective To determine the range of services and procedures offered by family physicians who define themselves as comprehensive practitioners and compare their responses across 3 generations of alumni of 1 family practice program.

Design Cross-sectional survey.

Setting One family medicine program in the province of Ontario.

Participants All graduates of the family medicine program between 1985 and 2012.

Main outcome measures Self-reported provision of care in office care, in-hospital care, intrapartum obstetrics, housecalls, palliative care, after hours care, nursing home care, minor surgery, emergency department care, sport medicine, and walk-in care. In addition, sex, training stream (urban or rural), size of the community of practice, practice model, and satisfaction with practice were considered.

Results Participants practised in 8 provinces across Canada, but principally in Ontario. A small number were located in the United States. There was a decline in the number of services across 3 generations of graduates, with newer graduates providing fewer services than the older graduates. Significant declines across the 3 groups were observed in the provision of housecalls, palliative care, and nursing home care. Non-significant changes were seen in the provision of intrapartum obstetrics across the 3 alumni groups, with an initial decline then an increase in reported activity. The average number of types of procedures offered declined from the oldest to the newest graduates. Most respondents were in a patient-enrolment practice model, and those in such models reported offering significantly more services than those in fee-for-service, family health group, or salary models.

Conclusion The normative definition of comprehensive care varies across 3 generations of graduates of this family medicine program, with newer physicians reporting fewer overall services and procedures than older graduates. A greater understanding of the forces that determine the meaning of comprehensive primary care is necessary if this foundational element of family medicine is to be preserved.

Objective To assess factors associated with adherence to 4 Choosing Wisely (CW) recommendations during patient encounters with primary care clinicians.

Design We conducted a retrospective review of electronic medical record data from the Manitoba Primary Care Research Network (MaPCReN).

Setting Data from 239 MaPCReN clinicians in 46 clinics representing 162 728 patients.

Participants All patients with at least 1 encounter (2014 to 2016) with a participating MaPCReN primary care clinician.

Main outcome measures Adherence to each of the 4 CW recommendations. Data relating to the following CW recommendations: prescription of antibiotics for viral infections; prescription of antipsychotics in patients with dementia; vitamin D–level testing; or prostate-specific antigen testing. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logic models with generalized estimating equations were used to assess adherence to the CW recommendations and associations with patient, provider, and practice characteristics. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were reported.

Results There were 164 195 primary care encounters related to 1 of the 4 CW recommendations evaluated. Overall 15.6% (n = 25 629) of the encounters did not adhere to 1 of the investigated CW recommendations. The most common nonadherent CW encounter related to antibiotic prescription for viral infection (65.4%). The remainder related to prostate-specific antigen screening (28.7%), vitamin D tests (9%), and antipsychotic prescriptions for patients diagnosed with dementia (0.7%). Female patients had increased odds of an encounter with an antibiotic prescription for viral infections (OR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.3) or vitamin D testing (OR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.3 to 1.9). Salaried physicians, older patients, patients with more frequent office visits, and patients residing in rural areas had increased odds of nonadherence.

Conclusion There are patient-, provider-, and practice-related factors that affect adherence to CW recommendations. Understanding factors associated with adherence is essential to designing strategies to reduce unnecessary investigations and treatments.

Context Canada passed its medical assistance in dying (MAID) law on June 17, 2016.

Objective To explore the experiences and perspectives of Canadians who requested and were eligible for MAID, as well as the experiences of people supporting them.

Design This was a qualitative study using semistructured interviews and thematic analysis.

Setting A clinic in British Columbia.

Participants Patients who had a consultation about MAID and who were found to be eligible were recruited for the study. Semistructured interviews were conducted by 2 family practice residents with patients and the patients’ support people to explore wishes, fears, beliefs, and experiences as they pursued, prepared for, and in some cases reflected on MAID. Basic demographic characteristics were recorded for context.

Findings Twenty-three patient experiences were explored in interviews with 11 patients and 18 support people. Most patients had a malignancy, neurological disorder, or organ failure. The major reason for requesting assisted death was a self-perceived unacceptable quality of life most, commonly due to the loss of autonomy, independence, physical function, and ability to communicate. Some patients expressed fear of future suffering and future disability. The support people included spouses, sons, daughters, and friends. All supported their loved one’s decisions, although some were initially opposed and some found it very hard. All 11 support people who were interviewed after the MAID death said the death was peaceful. They valued that they could be present, prepared, and able to say some final words.

Discussion The reasons patients in our study requested assisted death were similar to the findings in other countries—namely loss of autonomy and the ability to do the things they enjoyed. Their loved ones supported their decisions and valued the chance to be prepared and present.

Context The family medicine residency program at Laval University has developed and validated an innovative criterion-based competency assessment tool (CCAT) adapted to each rotation and training period. This computerized tool includes a decision support system suggesting educational diagnoses and prescriptions to support resident feedback and guide teachers in their judgment of competency achievement for each milestone.

Objective To determine the effects of a CCAT on the identification and management of residents in difficulty.

Setting Family medicine residency program at Laval University.

Participants Clinical teachers who had filled out at least 1 family medicine resident summative assessment in the previous 3 months participated in this study.

Main outcome measures Clinical teachers filled out a questionnaire before and after implementation of the CCAT to appraise Factors that Influence Reporting of Residents in Difficulty (Q-FIR-RID: 12 items, α = .81) to assess 4 constructs on a 5-point Likert scale: documentation, knowledge of what to document, consequences for the evaluator, and remediation options. Anonymized data about remediation rotations were obtained from the program promotion committee.

Results A total of 254 clinical teachers completed the questionnaire. The Q-FIR-RID score increased after implementation of the CCAT (Δ change = 0.25). Three constructs improved after CCAT implementation: documentation (P < .001), knowledge of what to document (P < .001), and remediation options (P < .01). Residents in difficulty were identified earlier after implementation of the CCAT, and remediation rotations were offered earlier to residents (before, 85% of remediation rotations were offered during first-year residency and 15% were offered to second-year residents; after, 100% were offered during first-year residency).

Conclusion This project suggests a CCAT that includes a decision support system improves the identification and management of residents in difficulty.

Context Since 2013 the University of Ottawa’s family medicine (FM) in-training evaluation reports (ITERs) have used an “action-based” ITER evaluation scale with 4 parameters: “not observed/applicable” (0); “off trajectory for this benchmark (action required)” (1); “on trajectory for this benchmark (minimal/no action required)” (2); and “attained this benchmark (no action required)” (3). The 29 first-year residents’ and 32 second-year residents’ stems of core FM ITERs are communicated as benchmarks that state expectations to be attained at the completion of each training year.

Objective To explore how preceptors have completed ITERs since this rating system was implemented.

Design We retrospectively analyzed aggregated ITER data contained in our assessment system (one45 WebEval) from July 2013 to present.

Participants One hundred thirty-six preceptors completed 1351 ITERs (666 for first-year residents, 685 for second-year residents).

Intervention The ITER data in one45 were sorted by preceptor with sequenced FM rotations for 5 communication competencies.

Outcome measures Using descriptive statistics and frequencies and nonparametric tests, we analyzed preceptors’ use of FM ITERs.

Results Mean (SD) scores for first-year residents’ ITERs were 2.26 (0.51) and 2.65 (0.48). Preceptors completed between 1 and 20 first-year residents’ ITERs and 1 and 24 second-year residents’ ITERs over more than 3 years. There was a statistically significant difference between first-year residents’ ITERs completed at sequential FM rotations as determined by 1-way ANOVA (F₄₆₃₂ = 48.79, P < .001) and for second-year residents’ ITERs (F₄₆₅₄ = 22.90, P < .001). Post hoc tests revealed when the sequential changes in ITER scoring occurred.

Discussion Communication skills differ in first-year residents and second-year residents owing to higher expectations. Supervisors should flag concerns and discern progression so residents can attain competencies required for graduation. We confirm that these ITERs reflect the preceptors’ assessment of gradual development along the competency journey.

Conclusion Residents in a department of FM acquire communication competencies progressively. Analysis of preceptor ITER ratings allows normative feedback to preceptors on their patterns of scoring residents.

Context Competency-based assessment in medical education incorporates multiple constructs including “assessment for learning” or coaching to promote guided self-assessment, and assessment of learning to determine resident progress toward competence. In both cases the provision of continuous formative feedback is paramount for improving both the validity of summative assessments and the quality of coaching that residents receive. In our family medicine residency program we use the Competency-Based Achievement System (CBAS) as our assessment framework. This study examined the effectiveness of CBAS in capturing evidence of resident progress from first-year residents to second-year residents.

Objective The objective of this study was to examine whether progress levels assigned by expert judges change to reflect the increased competence of residents from first-year residents to second-year residents; and if there were differences in progress level assignment between academic years, teaching sites, and mentor-learner relationship strength (advisors vs preceptors).

Design Secondary data analysis.

Participants FieldNotes (N = 6664) spanning 4 academic years (2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015). Data came from residents (n = 156), preceptors (n = 451), and academic advisors (n = 48) across 4 urban teaching sites.

Main outcome measures Between- and within-resident as well as between- and within-preceptor comparisons were made.

Results Overall there was a 14% increase in “Carry on, got it” from first-year residents to second-year residents, irrespective of whether comparing between different residents or different preceptors. One site maintained a high proportion of “Carry on, got it” between first-year residents and second-year residents, indicative of ongoing implementation and buy-in of the CBAS framework. No apparent differences in progress level assignment existed between preceptors and academic advisors when controlling for differences between residents.

Conclusion FieldNotes captured residents’ increase in competence over time. Similarities between advisor- and preceptor-made notes support triangulation in formative assessment. Observed teaching site differences suggest further research is needed to examine reasons behind site discrepancies.

Context The College of Family Physicians of Canada’s Triple C (TC) initiative was one of the first national approaches to competency-based medical education. All family medicine residency programs at Canada’s 17 medical schools have adopted TC and program evaluation is ongoing.

Objective To examine the different approaches to implementation of TC and its effects across Canadian family medicine residency programs.

Design A realist audit of the different approaches to the implementation of TC and its effects was conducted. Realist analysis of the results was used to identify the different contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes associated with implementing TC. Data were collected through individual interviews and focus groups that underwent thematic analysis using the constant comparison method.

Participants Participants included Program Directors, Department Chairs, Deans, administrators, preceptors, and residents at all 17 schools.

Main outcome measures Outcomes included the identification of narrative themes related to TC implementation and its effects.

Results Every family medicine residency program had implemented some part of TC in some way or form. Implementation was pragmatic, making use of opportunities where they arose. Some challenges in implementing TC were common to all schools; others were more localized. Triple C has been broadly successful, with earlier and more specific identification of struggling students being of particular value. Some programs struggled with renegotiating the role and presence of specialist physicians outside of family medicine in the training of family doctors. Implementing TC involved substantial administrative and resource costs. Schools that delayed the adoption of the TC curriculum learned from earlier adopters, and many partially attribute their success to concurrent and new assessment programs.

Conclusion Despite many challenges, TC has been a driver for much quality improvement in programs and it has catalyzed the Canadian family medicine community to be much more engaged in and attentive to educational matters.

Objective To test an evidence-based model (R2C2) in residency education. The model focuses on building relationships; exploring reactions to the feedback; exploring understanding of feedback content; and coaching for performance change.

Methods This was an international study of 5 residency programs using case study methodology and realist evaluation. Dyads of residents and their supervisors were recruited. Supervisors were trained and then asked to use the R2C2 model in 2 feedback sessions, 3 to 6 months apart. Feedback sessions and subsequent debrief interviews were recorded and transcribed. Content and template analysis were used within and across cases. Synthesis consisted of case and comparative analysis to identify the usefulness of each component and suggest revisions required to strengthen the R2C2 model.

Results Forty resident-preceptor dyads were recruited. The R2C2 model was effective in engaging residents in a reflective feedback conversation, although variability was noted across sites. The process appeared to enhance resident engagement and reflection, guided self-assessment, and encouraged active collaboration in the development of goals and outcomes. The model appeared to be useful with both excelling and struggling residents. Coaching for change was the most useful feature of the model, with the learning change plan an integral component of the coaching discussion. Factors influencing the use of the R2C2 model included supervisor and resident factors, such as the resident-supervisor relationship, and programmatic assessment approaches and contextual factors.

Conclusion The model can be effective in engaging residents in reviewing their performance assessment data, in reflecting and identifying opportunities for improvement, and in working with their supervisors to plan and implement improvements.

Objective To evaluate current barriers to minor procedural skills training in postgraduate family medicine at the University of Toronto in Ontario.

Design This is a qualitative study that employed a grounded theory methodology. The data set is multisourced, including accreditation documents, one-on-one interviews, and surveys. Interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim. Documents, transcripts, and survey responses were coded and categorized for common themes.

Setting This study took place during postgraduate residency training within the Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM).

Participants The DFCM faculty physicians (11 from 10 sites), program directors (5), and first-year and second-year family medicine residents who volunteered to participate (9).

Main outcome measures The identification of barriers in teaching and acquiring minor procedural skills facilitates further inquiry to improve current standards of training in postgraduate family medicine.

Findings Family medicine sites employ a variety of approaches to deliver procedural skills training. Three were identified in family medicine: routine clinical practice; designated clinics; and academic workshops. Each has its own barriers. Despite various strategies employed by sites, nearly all residents surveyed feel their current curricula are insufficient to develop procedural competence and confidence. Important barriers identified include an insufficient volume of patients or case mix, infrequent procedural clinics spread among too many residents, and insufficient protected time to pursue complementary training. Residents have difficulty obtaining procedure-rich electives within family medicine, and experience tends to come disproportionately and inconsistently from external rotations. Teachers also identify underlying influences on training. In addition to an insufficient case mix, these include a perception of insufficient initiative among residents, an insufficient pool of experienced supervisors, and easy access to other specialists for procedural referrals in urban settings.

Conclusion Challenges to minor procedural training are multifaceted; strategies to address this must also be multifaceted. This study identifies minor procedural skills training needs within the DFCM at the University of Toronto, with a view to improvement.

Objective The objective of Memorial University of Newfoundland’s “pathways to rural practice” approach is to produce rural family physicians to meet the rural health care needs of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada.

Design The pathways to rural practice approach has led to a program made of 4 components: a targeted preadmission process (Indigenous initiative, MedQuest geographic and minority selection); medical school clinical placements (rural experiences); vocational family medicine (FM) residency training (extended rural training experiences, deeper community integration); and postgraduate (PG) training (opportunities for professional and faculty development).

Setting This study considers data from Atlantic Canada and Memorial University’s School of Medicine.

Participants This study included Memorial’s medical school students and graduates from the classes of 2011 to 2019.

Intervention A survey and administrative data were used to collect student background data (address history, medical training and PG placements, and practice location data).

Main outcome measures To evaluate Memorial’s medical school curriculum we considered the percentage of placement weeks spent in rural locations for clinical placements and FM residencies.

Results For the graduating classes of 2011 to 2019 (N = 617), 90% of year 1 community health placement weeks took place in rural locations. Of the 537 students (classes of 2011 to 2018) who completed year 3 FM placements, 97% of their placements were spent in a rural location (community or town). Of the students who graduated between 2011 and 2013 and went on to complete FM-PG training at Memorial (n = 49), 100% completed rural training in some capacity. The same graduates (2011 to 2013, n = 49) spent 52 weeks (55%) out of 95 weeks in rural areas while completing their FM training.

Conclusion The “pathways” approach has allowed Memorial to become one of the main producers of rural generalists for both Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada.

Context Lifelong learning is an important aspect of health professionals’ maintenance of competence. Several studies have examined the orientation toward lifelong learning at various stages of the education and career continuum; however, none has looked at changes throughout training and practice.

Objective To determine whether there are differences in this orientation between groups defined by their places on the education and career continuum. Additionally, involvement in scholarly and research activities was considered for its influence on the orientation toward lifelong learning.

Design This was a group-level meta-analysis of studies that used the 14-item Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning or its variants. In total, 11 studies conducted with postsecondary health professions students, residents, and practising professionals met the inclusion criteria.

Main outcome measures Means and standard deviations of the total scores on the Jefferson Scale, together with sample sizes, were extracted from each study and used in the analysis.

Results Results of the meta-analysis indicated that the orientation toward lifelong learning in the health professions tended to increase gradually further along the career continuum; however, substantial variability was observed within each group of studies, with students, residents, and practising professionals. Significant differences in group means were found between trainees (students and residents) and practising professionals. Involvement in scholarly and research activities appeared to be associated with a greater orientation toward lifelong learning along the career continuum.

Conclusion The findings offer insights into the long-term trend in the orientation toward lifelong learning in health professions. Although the links between lifelong learning and its behavioural manifestations in the health professions have been reported in the literature, much work in this area still needs to be done, including examination of the effects of lifelong learning on patient care.

Objective To determine whether a biweekly procedure clinic and structured procedural curriculum throughout family medicine (FM) residency prepares residents to identify and manage skin cancers better than routine opportunistic teaching of skin procedures does.

Design A survey and photo quiz before and after participating in the structured curriculum or opportunistic teaching.

Setting Family medicine training sites at the University of Ottawa in Ontario.

Participants All incoming FM residents starting residency (N = 60).

Main outcome measures All incoming FM residents were asked to fill out a survey and photo quiz at the beginning of their training to establish their level of experience with and knowledge of skin conditions. The photo quiz was validated by a dermatologist. The FM residents at one site received training in the procedure clinic every 2 weeks, along with a structured procedural curriculum focused on the diagnosis and management of skin cancer during 8 months of FM training throughout the 2 years of residency. The other sites had routine opportunistic teaching on the diagnosis and management of skin cancer. The procedure clinic is based on hands-on experience with direct supervision by the study authors. At the end of their first year and at the end of their training all FM residents were asked to fill out a survey and photo quiz to verify their knowledge.

Results Twenty-five residents participated in the initial survey and photo quiz. The study participants and nonparticipants obtained a score of 61% and 58%, respectively, at the beginning of residency and 76% and 57%, respectively, at the end of residency.

Conclusion Our results indicate that a longitudinal curriculum helps FM residents identify and treat skin cancers, whereas opportunistic teaching showed no objective benefit.

Objective To determine family medicine (FM) resident and faculty perceptions about medical assistance in dying (MAID) in terms of interest in and knowledge of MAID, experiences with MAID, willingness and readiness to learn or teach about MAID, anticipation of participating in MAID, and recommendations for curricular content for residents, faculty development, and continuing professional development.

Design An exploratory mixed-method design was used to help inform the development of an integrated MAID curriculum.

Setting A Canadian FM residency program that included 4 distributed sites: 1 academic FM site and 3 community-based FM sites.

Participants Using purposive sampling, anonymous online surveys were distributed to FM physician preceptors (n = 158) and first-and second-year FM residents (n = 193) associated with the FM program under study.

Results Survey response rates were 45% for faculty and 33% for residents. Faculty were significantly more confident, competent, and comfortable than residents were in explaining and discussing MAID with colleagues and patients (P < .05). Residents, however, were more willing to participate in administering MAID than faculty were (P < .05). Seventy-two percent of respondents believed it is important to integrate MAID into the core curriculum, with faculty who were non–conscientious objectors being more likely to believe it should be included in the curriculum (P < .05). The curricular elements deemed most important included advance care and end-of-life planning (76%), technical aspects (73%), and regulations and ethical issues (56%).

Conclusion Developing a MAID curriculum will bridge the competency gap self-identified by participants. Patients’ access to compassionate end-of-life care can be improved through training that increases the comfort, confidence, and competence of both faculty and residents in the topic of MAID. Of importance is developing faculty development and continuing professional development sessions to educate and support both conscientious objectors and non–conscientious objectors, allowing all residents to learn about the care of patients requesting MAID.

Objective To evaluate the delivery of health promotion and disease prevention (HPDP) content in the curriculum at the University of Calgary medical school.

Design Mixed-methods study.

Setting Cumming School of Medicine in Calgary, Alta.

Participants Purposive sampling of 18 faculty from 7 specialties and 18 student volunteers.

Intervention Using the Clinical Prevention and Population Health Curriculum Framework, data extraction was piloted, refined, and used to document HPDP content in the published curriculum. Students extracted quantitative and qualitative data on teaching activities. Two focus groups were conducted with year 1 and 2 learners. Faculty participated in semistructured interviews.

Main outcome measures Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to give the proportion of learning events with HPDP content and the proportion of content in each of the 4 key areas identified by the framework. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically using the aforementioned theoretical framework.

Findings Of the 935 learning events identified, 88.8% were available for analysis: 30.2% of the learning events contained disease prevention content while only 16.8% contained health promotion content. The most frequently identified subject was foundations of population health (75.6%) and the least frequently identified was health systems and health policy (9.45%). Students in focus groups called for more integration of HPDP into existing content and suggested HPDP be included in communications cases. Faculty emphasized a need to address HPDP proactively by focusing on disease before it manifests rather than concentrating on secondary and tertiary prevention.

Conclusion Health promotion and disease prevention content is well represented in the curriculum at the University of Calgary, but the experiences of students and faculty suggest the need for an HPDP approach that helps students better integrate and apply HPDP knowledge in clinical practice. This includes raising students’ awareness of their own attitudes toward HPDP and providing opportunities for HPDP communication skills development in the undergraduate curriculum.

Objective To better understand the messages family medicine residents are receiving about enhanced skills fellowship programs throughout their training.

Design Phenomenologic approach using structured qualitative interviews.

Setting Postgraduate family medicine program in Ontario.

Participants Residents were recruited using both purposive and, subsequently, snowball sampling until data saturation was reached. Eleven family medicine residents (5 first-year residents and 6 second-year residents) were interviewed from 4 separate training sites.

Methods Interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed and codes were developed by the study investigators. Themes arose from the data via immersion and crystallization techniques.

Main findings Themes emerged in 3 categories: perception of purpose; sources of messaging; and formal and informal versus hidden curricular messages. Residents viewed fellowship programs in terms of their personal and professional benefits. Residents learned about fellowship programs through word of mouth and role modeling. The formal curriculum remained neutral about fellowship training. The hidden curriculum highlighted a number of messages: to maximize the chances of acceptance into some fellowship programs, one should focus most of their elective time in that clinical area; many fellowships graduate subspecialists to the exclusion of family medicine; a fellowship is required to practise in a large urban centre but not in rural communities; and graduates without fellowship training are less well regarded.

Conclusion Residents both hear and perceive mixed messages regarding fellowship training. This might be an isolated phenomenon at a larger urban centre in Ontario. Decision making at the individual level in terms of career path seems to be affected and this might have implications at the larger system level.

Objectif Soutenir l’implantation de l’accès adapté (AA) dans les unités de médecine de famille (UMF) de l’Université de Sherbrooke (Québec) et identifier les défis et solutions à l’enseignement de l’AA aux résidents.

Méthodologie Une recherche participative a été menée de 2015 à 2017 avec la communauté de pratique des directeurs d’UMF en utilisant une méthode qualitative descriptive. Un comité Accessibilité a été formé pour accompagner le processus d’implantation de l’AA. Le comité réunissant la directrice de la recherche, une coordonnatrice, 2 directeurs d’UMF, un résident, une patiente partenaire, 3 expertes (changement organisationnel, amélioration de la qualité et AA) et 2 représentants du département. Les données ont été recueillies au moyen de 6 groupes de discussion traitant de différents aspects de l’implantation. Les résultats des analyses thématiques ont été validés avec la communauté de pratique.

Contexte Le projet a été réalisé dans 10 UMF de l’Université de Sherbrooke.

Participants La communauté de pratique des directeurs d’UMF (n = 18) représente les 110 superviseurs et 190 résidents des UMF.

Résultats Toutes les UMF ont adopté le modèle d’AA. La majorité (80 %) a implanté l’AA tant pour les superviseurs que pour les résidents. Quatre défis à l’enseignement de l’AA aux résidents ont émergé: définir la patientèle; assurer une continuité des soins; adopter une approche de collaboration interprofessionnelle; et formaliser l’enseignement de l’AA. La planification préalable de la patientèle, l’appariement des résidents, la clarification des rôles des professionnels et la formation initiale et continue de l’AA ont été identifiés comme des solutions pour faciliter l’enseignement de l’AA aux résidents.

Conclusion À la fin de cette présentation, le participant sera en mesure d’identifier des stratégies pour favoriser l’implantation et l’enseignement de l’AA en UMF et de mieux comprendre l’utilité de la recherche participative.

Objectif Concevoir des courbes cognitives d’usage facile pour appuyer les cliniciens dans le suivi de leurs patients en utilisant uniquement des résultats de mini-examen de l’état mental (Mini-Mental State Examination ou MMSE) combinés à l’âge et à la scolarité.

Type d’étude Modélisation mathématique rétrospective.

Contexte Le MMSE demeure l’outil cognitif le plus utilisé dans le monde. Les performances au MMSE sont principalement influencées par l’âge et par la scolarité. La tâche demeure difficile en première ligne de faire la différence entre un déclin cognitif normal et l’apparition des premiers signes d’un processus dégénératif.

Participants La base de données de l’Étude sur la santé et le vieillissement au Canada qui regroupe 7569 personnes âgées de 65 ans et plus ayant complété le MMSE au départ puis à 5 et à 10 ans.

Intervention La modélisation mathématique de la relation entre l’âge, la scolarité et le résultat du MMSE a permis de générer des courbes cognitives (CC) de percentiles selon la trajectoire normale attendue et basées sur les nouveaux concepts de quotient cognitif et d’âge standardisé. Une zone de seuil inférieur (cutoff) était intégrée. Les CC ont ensuite été validées à l’aide d’une base de données externe (National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center).

Paramètres à l’étude Les sensibilités, les spécificités, les valeur prédictives positives, les valeur prédictives négatives, des CC et la stabilité de ces mesures.

Résultats Le déclin d’un intervalle de percentile ou plus à partir de la mesure initiale suggère la présence d’une trajectoire cognitive anormale avec une sensibilité de 80 %, une spécificité de 89 % et une valeur prédictive négative de 99 %.

Conclusion À l’image des courbes de croissance pédiatriques nous proposons ici un modèle innovateur de courbes cognitives qui tient compte du MMSE, de l’âge et de la scolarité pour déterminer si des patients âgés ont un déclin cognitif normal ou non. Les CC rendent possible un suivi longitudinal tout en intégrant un seuil ponctuel qui permet d’orienter précocement vers des investigations plus poussées.

Contexte Les traumatismes sont une cause importante de morbidité et de mortalité dans les milieux ruraux. Ces milieux ont cependant moins facilement accès à des médecins spécialistes en traumatologie que les milieux urbains, ce qui entraîne des délais de prise en charge et nécessite parfois des transferts sur de longues distances vers les centres hospitaliers spécialisés. Avec l’avènement des technologies de l’information, la télémédecine semble offrir des avenues prometteuses pour pallier ce problème.

Objectif Déterminer l’impact de la télémédecine sur la prise en charge des patients victimes de traumatismes en milieux ruraux.

Design Une revue systématique rapide de la littérature scientifique a été effectuée à partir des concepts suivants: « traumatology » et « rural » et « telemedicine » ou « teletrauma ». La stratégie de recherche a été lancée dans 13 bases de données bibliographiques. Cette recherche a permis d’identifier 157 documents. Le tri des articles a été effectué par 2 codeurs indépendants selon des critères d’inclusion prédéfinis. Uniquement les articles parus après 2010 ont été conservés pour l’analyse, réduisant le nombre d’articles à 19. Les bibliographies des documents retenus ont été ratissées à la recherche de nouveaux articles pertinents. La question de recherche étant de nature causale seules les études expérimentales, quasi expérimentales et de cohorte ont été conservées.

Résultats Jusqu’à maintenant 9 articles ont été sélectionnés pour extraction. Les résultats préliminaires suggèrent que l’utilisation de la télémédecine (téléphones intelligents, logiciels, réseaux privés virtuels, etc.) peut améliorer la prise en charge des patients.

Conclusion L’apport de la télémédecine semble donc avoir un impact positif sur la qualité des soins prodigués aux patients traumatisés en milieu rural. Les résultats préliminaires confirment l’intérêt de poursuivre la recherche de nouveaux articles notamment en élargissant la période temporelle et en effectuant des recherches dans la littérature grise.

Objectif Identifier les enjeux et des pistes de solution pour améliorer les soins et les services aux patients ayant des besoins de santé complexes en groupes de médecine de famille (GMF).

Devis et méthodes Approche de recherche participative dans le cadre d’un forum provincial utilisant des groupes de discussion mixtes d’acteurs-clés des milieux de la santé des services sociaux universitaires et communautaires ainsi que des patients partenaires pour identifier les enjeux; puis des groupes de discussion disciplinaires pour identifier des pistes de solution. Une analyse thématique des données a été réalisée.

Organisations Les participants provenaient de centres intégrés et de centres intégrés universitaires de santé et de services sociaux de GMF et d’organisations communautaires de 16 régions du Québec.

Participants En total, 160 personnes ont participé: gestionnaires (n = 52), décideurs (n = 15), chercheurs (n = 23), pharmaciens (n = 13), médecins (n = 9), infirmiers et infirmières praticiens spécialisés (n = 18), patients partenaires (n = 11), travailleurs sociaux (n = 10), représentants d’organismes communautaires (n = 6), psychologues (n = 2) et kinésithérapeute (n = 1).

Résultats Les enjeux identifiés portaient sur: la conciliation des mandats des GMF axés sur une population de patients inscrits et des centres intégrés et de centres intégrés universitaires de santé et de services sociaux axés sur la population d’un territoire; la méconnaissance mutuelle du réseau des GMF et du réseau des organismes communautaire; une clientèle à risque hétérogène qui passe souvent sous le radar; et le défi de structurer l’action collective de plusieurs professionnels et partenaires. Les pistes de solution suggéraient: la conception de l’usager en tant qu’expert de sa complexité; la conception des organismes communautaires comme partenaires de l’équipe GMF; la création de nouveaux modèles professionnels; la gestion du changement; la contribution de la recherche axée sur le patient; et un financement qui favorise le travail interprofessionnel.

Conclusion Cette présentation permettra aux participants d’envisager de nouvelles pistes de solution pour l’amélioration des soins et des services aux patients ayant des besoins de santé complexes en GMF et de comprendre les enjeux qui s’y rattachent.

Contexte Le Québec affiche le pourcentage de patients orphelins le plus élevé au Canada. Par conséquent des listes d’attente centralisées ont été mises sur pied dans le but de contrer les difficultés à obtenir un médecin de famille. Au moment de s’inscrire les patients sont répartis selon des codes de priorité. En raison des délais d’attente et du caractère réduit des évaluations il peut arriver que les codes de priorité ne soient plus à jour ou qu’ils soient erronés. Le Programme de sensibilisation à la santé cardiovasculaire (PSSC) pourrait permettre à des patients sur la liste d’attente de se voir accorder une nouvelle priorité et obtenir plus rapidement l’accès à un médecin de famille. Le but de ce projet pilote est de déterminer dans quelle mesure il serait réalisable et acceptable de mettre en place un programme comme le PSSC pour les patients adultes en attente d’un médecin de famille.

Méthodes L’intervention était offerte à des patients adultes de 40 ans et plus inscrits sur la liste d’attente du guichet d’accès à un médecin de famille de Laval (Québec). Des séances PSSC ont été menées par des bénévoles formés sous la supervision d’une infirmière. Leur déroulement comprenait notamment la prise de la pression artérielle, la mesure du tour de taille et de l’indice de masse corporelle, l’évaluation du risque cardiométabolique, la distribution de documentation éducative et d’information sur les ressources communautaires liées aux saines habitudes de vie, et la recommandation à un médecin de famille local pour les patients chez qui un risque de santé a été décelé.

Résultats Le projet a permis d’identifier les patients qui nécessitaient de l’aide médicale immédiate. En effet, plus de 40 % des participants ont été orientés vers des programmes de promotion de la santé offerts par des autorités sanitaires locales. La plupart des participants étaient sédentaires, ne consommaient pas suffisamment de fruits et légumes, et souffraient d’embonpoint ou d’obésité.

Conclusion Les programmes communautaires de sensibilisation à la santé cardiométabolique tels que le PSSC peuvent présenter des avantages pour les évaluations des guichets d’accès: ils permettent d’identifier les participants qui nécessitent des soins immédiats et de leur attribuer un médecin, d’offrir de la documentation éducative sur les saines habitudes de vie, et d’orienter les participants vers des ressources communautaires locales gratuites ou à prix abordable qui souvent sont inconnues des participants ou généralement sous-utilisées.

Contexte Les résidents des logements sociaux subventionnés constituent une tranche de la population vulnérable à faible revenu et reconnue comme étant en moins bonne santé que les locataires de logement privé ou les propriétaires. Le Programme de sensibilisation à la santé cardiovasculaire (PSSC) est un programme communautaire de prévention et de prise en charge des maladies chroniques. Son objectif consiste à réduire le fardeau associé aux maladies chroniques qui pèse sur le système de santé en s’attaquant aux facteurs de risques en aidant les patients à obtenir des soins primaires et en améliorant les liens avec les ressources communautaires. Présenté sous forme d’évaluation des besoins et de l’état de préparation, ce projet a pour but avant tout d’évaluer les attitudes des principaux intervenants (disposés au changement), les conditions (le contexte, la structure) et les ressources (humaines, matérielles et financières): en somme tout ce qui est nécessaire à l’intégration d’un programme comme le PSSC dans les logements sociaux du Québec.

Méthode Ce projet propose d’adapter le PSSC aux besoins locaux en appliquant une approche intégrée de transfert du savoir qui repose sur la consultation de cliniciens, de participants, de gestionnaires du système de santé, et d’édifice de logements sociaux et d’ambulanciers. L’intervention comprend une série de groupes de discussion avec les principaux intervenants et un sondage ciblant les résidents des logements sociaux.

Milieu et participants Ce projet sera réalisé dans des cliniques et des logements sociaux situés dans les réseaux de recherche fondée sur la pratique de l’Université McGill et de l’Université de Montréal (Québec).

Résultats Les paramètres à l’étude compteront notamment un profil de l’état de santé des locataires de logements sociaux ainsi qu’une analyse de leurs besoins en matière de soins de santé et de leur niveau de littératie en santé. Les groupes de discussion éclaireront les positions des intervenants et mettront en valeur les conditions et les ressources qui entrent en jeu dans la mise en œuvre de programmes comme le PSSC pour les résidents des logements sociaux.

Conclusion Les résultats du sondage et des groupes de discussion seront indispensables pour formuler des recommandations et pour rédiger un guide d’implantation. On s’attend à ce qu’une part importante des résidents n’aient pas d’interactions régulières avec des fournisseurs de soins primaires et probablement que peu d’entre eux aient un médecin de famille. Un protocole de suivi sera ajouté au guide d’implantation une fois que les facteurs de risques seront identifiés.

Objective To review the existing literature on interventions supporting clients in their transition to driving retirement.

Design A scoping review was completed in September 2016.

Method Articles were identified through PubMed, EMBASE, and the reference lists of relevant articles with key words that included driving retirement intervention and driving cessation intervention. The selected articles had to be published in English and provide specific directions to support the transition to driving retirement. Articles strictly focused on the assessment of driving capacities were excluded. A thematic analysis was conducted to synthesize findings.

Main findings Twenty articles were deemed relevant to informing professionals’ interventions related to driving retirement. These articles fell into 4 themes: outcomes of driving retirement (n = 5), perceived barriers to driving retirement (n = 2), suggestions for driving retirement interventions (n = 3), and description and evaluation of existing programs (n = 10). Programs and interventions were often delivered in a group format by multidisciplinary teams, including occupational therapists, physicians, nurses, and peer leaders, and addressed both practical and emotional concerns associated with driving retirement.

Conclusion The findings of this review will enable family physicians to identify and explore with clients the practical and emotional concerns linked to driving retirement. Family physicians will also be able to provide concrete and evidence-based strategies to their clients who need to transition to driving retirement. Finally family physicians will be able to determine situations that would benefit from the input of an occupational therapist.

Context In recent years, Kingston, Ont, has seen an influx of new Canadians with limited English proficiency, most recently with the arrival of Syrian refugees. Currently there are limited resources for medical interpretation at the Queen’s Family Health Team (QFHT). Patients with limited English proficiency have considerable health disparities, which can be improved through access to trained interpreters.

Objective To develop and evaluate a sustainable model to provide free interpreter services within primary care to patients with limited English proficiency at the QFHT.

Design Qualitative, descriptive study including surveys and program evaluation.

Setting Academic family health team in a medium-sized city.

Participants Forty-four student volunteers from health sciences backgrounds, more than 50 patients with limited English proficiency, and health care providers at the QFHT.

Intervention Student volunteers underwent a training session regarding medical interpretation, confidentiality, and cultural competency. They were paired with patients with low English proficiency and attended medical intake and follow-up appointments at the QFHT to provide interpretation between patients and health care practitioners throughout the year.

Main outcome measures Surveys were distributed to volunteer interpreters before the training session to assess interest, level of experience, and exposure to medical interpretation. A second survey was then administered several months later to collect feedback from volunteers, patients, and health care practitioners regarding the effectiveness of the program and potential improvements that could be implemented.

Results Volunteer interpreters attended 2 evenings of patient intake sessions and more than 40 follow-up appointments and urgent care visits. Preliminary feedback from volunteers and health care providers is positive and suggests that this provides a valuable service to underserved patients and health care providers at the QFHT.

Conclusion Our program provides access to free interpreter services at the QFHT through health sciences students who have received informal training in interpretation, cultural competency, and confidentiality.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of universal screening for poverty in primary care and pediatric settings.

Design This study was an implementation evaluation of universal poverty screening, including a questionnaire to assess the acceptability of being screened and focus groups to explore barriers to and facilitators of implementation.

Setting This study took place in 6 family medicine practices (community health centres, family health teams, an academic family health team, and private practice) as well as in inpatient and outpatient pediatric settings in Kingston and Napanee in Ontario.

Participants A total of 22 health care providers (family doctors, nurse practitioners, pediatricians) and 148 patients completed the questionnaire about poverty screening.

Methods Health care providers were first trained using the Ontario College of Family Physicians’ “Treating Poverty” workshop and related poverty tool. They were instructed to perform universal poverty screening on their patients using the question “Do you have difficulty making ends meet at the end of the month?” for the duration of the study (3 months). Health care providers tracked the numbers of patients screened. Surveys were distributed to patients to assess the acceptability of being screened for poverty in a health care setting. Following the study period health care providers were invited to focus groups to explore barriers to and facilitators of implementing universal screening with this tool.

Main findings Despite the substantial motivation of the providers, only approximately 10% of patients were screened during the study period. Most patients (72%) either agreed or strongly agreed that screening was important. Lack of time and simply forgetting were some of the barriers encountered. Despite these barriers, most health care providers strongly supported normalizing the discussion of a patient’s financial situation.

Conclusion For health providers to identify and intervene in cases of poverty, barriers need to be addressed to ensure that screening is universal.

Context Primary care physician remuneration policies in Alberta are currently under review; at the moment it is a predominantly fee-for-service (FFS) system. Using blended capitation and capping FFS billings per day are being considered. Both would discourage high-volume (> 50 patients per day) practice, but little is known about high-volume practice in Alberta and its effects on patient outcomes.

Objective To improve our understanding of current physician patient volumes and billing practices in relation to associated provider demographic characteristics.

Design Analysis of Alberta FP billing and demographic data.

Setting Alberta.

Participants All FFS FPs in the province (N = 3465).

Main outcome measures Characteristics of high-volume practice, including international medical graduate (IMG) status, geography, and billing patterns.

Results Approximately 30% of FPs currently working in Canada are IMGs. High-volume status was modeled on general practice billing data from 2011 to 2015, provider demographic characteristics, and geographic parameters in simple comparisons and in a logistic regression. Logistic regression analysis revealed that high-volume practitioners tended to avoid service codes representing time-intensive services, were typically older, were typically male, and tended to be located in the north of the province. Additionally, IMGs were substantially more likely to be high-volume practitioners. Rurality was not associated with high-volume practice independently of location in the north. A large number of FPs do work not full-time.

Conclusion The results of this study serve to fill an important knowledge gap about high-volume practitioners and facilitate the next step in exploring the interaction between service volume and health outcomes. These results are important for policy-makers when considering the design of a payment system to optimize patient outcomes.

Context Triple C is a competency-based medical education initiative that aims to ensure that graduates from any family medicine residency program in Canada are prepared to provide comprehensive care to patients across the lifespan and meet the needs of the community. The Family Medicine Longitudinal Survey (FMLS) which began in 2012 is intended to evaluate Triple C. In this study we used data from the FMLS to explore potential changes in perceptions about the discipline of family medicine before and after residency.

Objective To explore resident responses on the FMLS to understand how residents perceive their medical specialty; identify aspects of the discipline that might need improvement; and show evidence of changes in perceptions before and after residency.

Design Secondary data analysis using de-identified FMLS responses from 1 cohort at entrance (T1) and exit (T2) of residency.

Setting Canada.

Participants One cohort of family medicine residents (N = 424).

Main outcome measures Level of agreement with statements about family medicine as a discipline.

Results Most residents agreed with feeling proud to become a family physician; that patients recognize the value of the discipline; and that family physicians provide a valuable contribution that is different from other specialists and valuable beyond referrals. This high level of agreement was consistent at T1 and T2. Interestingly, a substantial proportion of T2 respondents believed the government does not perceive family medicine as essential to the health care system, a notable change from T1 responses. This finding was not found to be correlated with practice intentions.

Conclusion The FMLS has provided insight into resident perceptions of family medicine. While most perceptions about the discipline were positive at T1 and T2, more than 50% of respondents indicated that they perceived that the government does not value the discipline. Surveying residents about their perceptions about family medicine has provided valuable insights into areas needing further examination.

Objective To determine the barriers and systemic gaps physicians encounter when seeking help and suggest solutions to prevent physician burnout.

Design This qualitative study used grounded theory to uncover the recurrent themes identified in semistructured discussion groups.

Setting This study was conducted in the setting of a conference on physician wellness.

Participants Convenience sample of 57 participants (51% family physicians, 35 females, 22 males).

Methods Following the testimonials of local physicians on themes of physician wellness and resilience, the participants were divided into 10 focus groups for discussion. Based on the recordings and scribe notes of the discussions, a spreadsheet of identified themes was created. These themes were then grouped into categories such as barriers, gaps, and solutions. The frequency of each theme being mentioned was tabulated and the most common themes were identified.

Main findings Twenty-two themes related to barriers, 9 themes on gaps, and 24 related to solutions, were identified and their occurrence summarized. The most frequently mentioned barriers to seeking help were stigma, unsupportive work environment, and denial. The most commonly identified gap was lack of accessibility of existing services. This was especially true for family physicians in the community. The most frequently suggested solutions to barriers were creating a culture of support, providing continued mentorship, and improving awareness and accessibility of existing resources.

Conclusion The CanMEDS framework for the role of Professional stipulates that the provision of optimal patient care requires physicians to take responsibility for their own health and well-being, and that of their colleagues. The findings of this study indicate that for physicians to accomplish this, a culture of support, mentorship, and awareness must be created. Proposed solutions include improved communication and collaboration among colleagues to reduce stigma and remove the shame in seeking help.

Objective To assess whether local annual refresher session offerings for primary care providers match their needs by coding and comparing session syllabi to clinical questions collected electronically through the Champlain BASE (Building Access to Specialists through eConsultation) service.

Design Retrospective review of eConsult clinical questions and continuing professional development (CPD) course offerings.

Setting Eastern region of Ontario.

Participants Primary care providers posing clinical questions through eConsult from July 2011 to January 2015.

Main outcome measures Syllabi from 521 refresher CPD sessions offered to primary care providers in the eastern region of Ontario over a 3-year period (2012 to 2014). The CPD session descriptions were coded using hybrid taxonomies derived from the International Classification of Primary Care, second edition; Journal of the American Medical Association specialty classifications; and our eConsult specialty services experts. Of the 22 670 total CPD minutes, 12 215 corresponded to the content offered through 12 eConsult specialty services. Percentage differences between CPD content and clinical questions posed through eConsult were calculated.

Results Congruence and dissonance between CPD content and clinical questions posed through eConsult varied significantly across the 12 specialty services. Within each specialty some topics were well covered, while others were not. For example psychiatry content such as depressive mood disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and substance-related and addictive disorders showed percent differences ranging from 11.5% to 26.3%. Personality disorders, somatic system disorders, and trauma-related disorders showed strong congruence (1.5% to 2.4% difference).

Conclusion Differences between questions asked by primary care providers at the point of care through eConsults and the content of contemporaneous CPD refresher courses can be analyzed to identify gaps in offerings. This knowledge, if shared with CPD program offices and providers, could be used to develop CPD curricula and highlight areas of need for inclusion in primary care update activities.

Objective To determine the mental health and broader effects of patients connecting with Indigenous Elders as part of routine primary health care.

Design Mixed-methods prospective cohort study with quantitative measures at baseline and after 1, 3, and 6 months and an in-depth qualitative interview at more than 3 months after the intervention.

Setting A western Canadian, urban Indigenous primary care clinic.

Participants Participants had to be older than 18 years of age and self-identify as Indigenous, with no prior contact with an Elders program. Forty-two patients were enrolled—4 had incomplete follow-up and 1 died—allowing for complete quantitative data for 37 participants. Overall, 70% were female and the mean age was 51 years; 33% had attended residential school and 67% had experience in the foster care system.

Intervention Participants connected with an Indigenous Elder as part of one-on-one or group sessions, or both. Follow-up visits were left to the discretion of the participant and the Elder.

Main outcome measures Quantitative depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 [Patient Health Questionnaire]) and suicide risk (SBQ-R [Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire, Revised]) and qualitative descriptions of health effects and harms.

Results Twenty-four participants at baseline had moderate to severe depression (PHQ-9 score > 10); of these, there was a decrease in depressive symptoms (5 points) that was sustained over a 6-month period (P = .002). Ten participants had an above-average suicide risk at baseline (SQB-R score > 7); of these, there was a decrease in suicide risk (2 points) that was sustained over a 6-month period (P = .008). Twenty-nine participants completed qualitative interviews; 28 of 29 indicated a clear positive effect and 0 of 29 indicated harms. Common effects were improved emotional regulation, adaptive behavioural changes, increased social connection, improved housing status, improved employment status, and less use of mood-altering substances.

Conclusion Connection with Indigenous Elders as part of routine primary care had a significant positive effect on depressive symptoms and suicide risk; it was also associated with beneficial mood, behavioural, and social outcomes and was not associated with identifiable harms.

Objective To explore patient and caregiver experiences with how easy or difficult it was for patients to follow up with their primary care providers upon discharge from hospital, as the transition period from an inpatient setting to an outpatient setting is a vulnerable time for patients.

Design Qualitative, descriptive research design using semistructured, individual interviews.

Setting The study took place at the Toronto Western Family Health Team in Ontario. Interviews were held on site or over the telephone.

Participants A total of 13 participants (11 patients and 2 caregivers)

Methods Interviews were carried out with 11 patients and 2 caregivers. The purposive sampling technique was used to select patient participants who were discharged home from the Family Inpatient Service unit of the Toronto Western Family Health Team in the past 30 days; had an identified primary care provider in Ontario at the time of discharge; had 1 or more of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations, congestive heart failure, gastrointestinal disorders, pneumonia, or acute myocardial infarction; and were able to speak English, Portuguese, or Mandarin (interpretation was made available).

Main findings Thematic analysis identified a number of barriers to follow-up by patient participants including language barriers, lack of communication between the patient and their primary care provider or inpatient physician, and lack of communication between the primary care provider and inpatient physician. Among the main facilitators of follow-up identified were the availability and accessibility of a patient’s primary care provider, a patient’s proximity to the primary care provider, and accessible transportation to and from the primary care provider’s office.

Conclusion Understanding patients’ postdischarge experiences has the potential to aid in developing interventions to improve patient quality of life and care in the postdischarge transitional period. By including the experiences and perspectives of both the patient and their caregivers, our research team was able to gain broader critical insight into patients’ postdischarge experiences and create recommendations on strategies to improve them.