Objective
SPA-LTC is a program of research aimed at Strengthening a Palliative Approach in Long-Term Care.
The program’s goals are to: Improve capacity for a palliative approach to care in LTC homes
- Introduce new, free resources to support LTC homes with implementing a palliative approach to care
- Increase knowledge about the impact of palliative approaches to care in LTC homes
- Help support LTC homes with meeting new palliative accreditation standards
What are the components of the SPA-LTC program?
Strengthening a Palliative Approach in Long Term Care (SPA-LTC) consists of core, components (listed below) which are all informed by research evidence. Our team works with homes to find ways to introduce these components in a way that is feasible for their particular context.
- Interdisciplinary Champion Teams (to provide leadership and support implementation)
- Palliative Care Education, including resources for staff and family members
- Comfort Care Rounds with staff (for capacity building and reflection)
- Prognostic Tools to trigger end-of-life discussions
- Palliative Care Conferences
- Post-Bereavement Follow-Up for residents, families, and staff
The SPA-LTC Research Study
We are doing a randomized, controlled trial across 19 LTC homes in 3 provinces (7 in Ontario, 6 in Manitoba, 6 in Saskatchewan) to evaluate the SPA-LTC program and to answer these research questions:
- Does SPA-LTC improve resident comfort and family satisfaction?
- Does SPA-LTC result in decreased hospital visits for LTC residents?
- How does SPA-LTC need to be adapted so that it can be further scaled-up in LTC homes across Canada?
This project will launch in April 2020 and run until May 2023.
Research Team
Our team members are from seven universities across Canada:
- Brock University – Dr. Lynn McCleary
- McMaster University – Dr. Sharon Kaasalainen
- McGill University – Dr. Tamara Sussman
- University of Manitoba – Dr. Genevieve Thompson
- University of Regina – Dr. Abigail Wickson-Griffiths
- University of Saskatchewan – Dr. Paulette Hunter
- University of Calgary – Dr. Lorraine Venturato
Or visit our website: https://spaltc.ca/
Funder
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).