Posted
Closed
Commitment: Long-term
Connection method: Virtual
Open to Interior Region
Posted
Volunteer Opportunity
Interior Health is looking for patient partners interested in exploring ways to reduce caregiver strain through the use of technology.
Lead Organization/Department
Seniors Specialized Care Transformation, Interior Health
Aim
The Seniors Specialized Care Transformation team at Interior health is developing and implementing new technology (leveraging a current validated assessment tool) to support and empower the health and wellbeing of care partners. The patient partners will have the opportunity to provide their perspectives, guidance and recommendations including use of plain language, usability of the technology, perceived value for care partners.
The patient partners would become part of our core working group attending monthly meetings to collaborate, guide and provide recommendations to the team. The patient partners may be asked to seek additional perspectives from other public care partners (e.g. via seniors centres, local networks) to help inform the end-product. The patient partners will also be required to test the technology, provide feedback (e.g. on usability, understanding of questions asked, value-add, interventions provided etc.)
Level of Engagement
This opportunity is at the level of collaborate on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the health care partner will work together with you to formulate solutions and incorporate your advice and recommendations into the decisions to the maximum extent possible.
Eligibility
• Open to patient partners from: Interior Health region
• Experience as a care partner looking after a loved one at home.
• Familiarity with technology (e.g. cell phones, computers and apps).
• Some experience in receiving Home Health Services with Interior Health would be an asset.
• Please note:
– This opportunity is not open to staff members or patient partners who are currently employed by this health authority.
– As connection and relationship building is important, we may like to meet with short listed patient partners as part of our selection process in an informal interview between the patient partner and the health care partner.
– Applicants must have previously attended a PVN orientation session and completed the Patient Partner Commitments form. If you have not attended an orientation session but you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Charmaine Niebergall directly to see if accommodations may be possible.
– As required by the October 14, 2021 Public Health Order released by the Provincial Health Officer, proof of vaccination is required to access any in-person meetings at a health care site. Proof of vaccination can be provided by way of a Vaccination Passport or Vaccination card, along with government issued photo ID. For patient partnership activities that are virtual only (via Zoom, video conference, phone, etc.), proof of vaccination is not required.
Logistics
• Number of vacancies: 2
• Date/Time:
– First meeting date is March 1, 2023 from 11:00-11:45am (PST).
– Meetings plan to be monthly on the first Wednesday of each month (11:00-12:00 PST) and run until the end of December 2023.
• Location: Virtually using Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
• Commitment: March 2023-December 2023.
Reimbursement
No out-of-pocket expenses are anticipated for this engagement opportunity. However, if you meet the eligibility criteria but have concerns about your ability to participate, please contact Charmaine Niebergall cniebergall@bcpsqc.ca to see if support options are available. We are always seeking to better understand and reduce barriers to participation.
Background
Care partners are thought to be experiencing the burden and strain of providing care to loved ones, which places themselves, and their loved ones at risk for poor health outcomes. This quality improvement initiative is looking to develop and implement new technology (leveraging a current validated assessment tool) to reduce this strain and empower the health and wellbeing of care partners.
To date this is a small working group of approximately 8 people. There is no Terms of Reference at present. The focus is a ground-up, grass roots, quality improvement project with small scope. Please see attached document for more information: Caregiver-Strain-Project.pdf
