The Ontairo Health Quality Council's first annual report (2006) identified "spreading the use of proven knowledge and best practices" as one of five key issues affecting the quality of Ontario's health care system.
"We need to focus more on developing ways to turn research into practical knowledge - especially by getting researchers and providers to work together, so successful innovations are more quickly and directly put into use." (pg. 20)
The RIA, they say, gets it:
"The Schlegel-University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging, a partnership between university researchers and Winston Park and Oakwood Retirement Communities [Schlegel Seniors Villages], understands the link between researchers and practitioners is key to creating high quality research and readiness to use it... Front line workers help define concepts and needs for research projects... The research leads to practices which are immediately used and skills are incorporated into training new health care professionals and upgrading training for current practitioners." (pg. 20)
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About the RIA
The RIA promotes research relevant to aging in community and congregate settings. It focuses on practice-relevant research as a driving force behind innovation and quality care. Through partnerships with the University of Waterloo and Conestoga College, the RIA attracts research projects to "living research environments" within long-term care and retirement communities, with a view to immediate translation of research to practical training application for caregivers. The "living research environments" include ten facilities offering a continuum of care that are home to over 3,000 residents. These facilities vary in size, ethnicity (cultural, language, faith), and specialized care populations. Materials and information generated through research-to-practice initiatives are shared with other LTC facilities and system networks to promote research-informed quality care.
More...
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RIA Highlights:
Building Community Capacity in Interprofessional Care to Improve Health Care for Seniors
To learn more about Interprofessional Care in Action and the Interprofessional Leadership Project, click here.
RIA Program wins QI Innovation of the Year Award
Excellence in Resident-Centred Care is a 10-module training course for Personal Support Workers in LTC/R. It takes an innovative approach to enhanced skills training reflecting best practices within a framework of resident-centredness. Developed by RIA in partnership with Conestoga College, this program was first delivered in RIA's nine research and development sites: Schlegel Seniors Villages / Oakwood Retirement Communities, and is now being disseminated more broadly. View OLTCA article...
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What's New at the RIA?
Click here to read about RIA in the news... |
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