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Harris MF, Tran A, Porwal M, Aslani P, Cullen J, Brown A, Harris E, Harris-Roxas B, Doolan-Noble F, Javanparast S, Wright M, Osborne R, Osten R. Codesigning a Community Health Navigator program to assist patients to transition from hospital to community. Aust J Prim Health 2024; 30:PY24042. [PMID: 39298657 DOI: 10.1071/py24042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Background This study aimed to identify the potential roles for Community Health Navigators (CHNs) in addressing problems faced by patients on discharge from hospital to the community, and attitudes and factors which may influence their adoption. Methods Twenty-six qualitative interviews and an online codesign workshop were conducted with patients, nurses, general practice staff, health service managers, community health workers, general practitioners, medical specialists, and pharmacists in the Sydney Local Health District. Qualitative themes from the interviews and workshop transcripts were analysed inductively and subsequently grouped according to a socio-ecological model. Results CHNs could assist patients to navigate non-clinical problems experienced by patients on discharge through assessing needs, establishing trust, providing social and emotional support that is culturally and linguistically appropriate, engaging family and carers, supporting medication adherence, and helping to arrange and attend follow up health and other appointments. Important factors for the success of the CHNs in the performance and sustainability of their roles were the need to establish effective communication and trust with other healthcare team members, be accepted by patients, have access to information about referral and support services, receive formal recognition of their training and experience, and be supported by appropriate supervision. Conclusions This study was unique in exploring the potential role of CHNs in addressing problems faced by patients on discharge from Australian hospitals and the factors influencing their adoption. It informed training and supervision needs and further research to evaluate CHNs' effectiveness and the acceptance of their role within the healthcare team.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark F Harris
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - An Tran
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Mamta Porwal
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Parisa Aslani
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - John Cullen
- Aged Health, Rehabilitation, General Medicine, Endocrinology, Chronic Care, Andrology, and Hospital in the Home, Sydney Local Health District and University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Anthony Brown
- Health Consumers New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Harris
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Ben Harris-Roxas
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Fiona Doolan-Noble
- Goldfields University Department of Rural Health, Curtin University, Kalgoorlie, WA 6430, Australia
| | - Sara Javanparast
- Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Michael Wright
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Haymarket, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Richard Osborne
- Centre for Global Health and Equity, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Vic 3122, Australia
| | - Regina Osten
- Centre Agency for Clinical Innovation, NSW Health, Queanbeyan, NSW 2065, Australia
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Parker SM, Aslani P, Harris-Roxas B, Wright MC, Barr M, Doolan-Noble F, Javanparast S, Sharma A, Osborne RH, Cullen J, Harris E, Haigh F, Harris M. Community health navigator-assisted transition of care from hospital to community: protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e077877. [PMID: 38309760 PMCID: PMC10840031 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The objective of this parallel group, randomised controlled trial is to evaluate a community health navigator (CHN) intervention provided to patients aged over 40 years and living with chronic health conditions to transition from hospital inpatient care to their homes. Unplanned hospital readmissions are costly for the health system and negatively impact patients. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Patients are randomised post hospital discharge to the CHN intervention or usual care. A comparison of outcomes between intervention and control groups will use multivariate regression techniques that adjust for age, sex and any independent variables that are significantly different between the two groups, using multiple imputation for missing values. Time-to-event analysis will examine the relationship between seeing a CHN following discharge from the index hospitalisation and reduced rehospitalisations in the subsequent 60 days and 6 months. Secondary outcomes include medication adherence, health literacy, quality of life, experience of healthcare and health service use (including the cost of care). We will also conduct a qualitative assessment of the implementation of the navigator role from the viewpoint of stakeholders including patients, health professionals and the navigators themselves. ETHICS APPROVAL Ethics approval was obtained from the Research Ethics and Governance Office, Sydney Local Health District, on 21 January 2022 (Protocol no. X21-0438 and 2021/ETH12171). The findings of the trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and national and international conference presentations. Data will be deposited in an institutional data repository at the end of the trial. This is subject to Ethics Committee approval, and the metadata will be made available on request. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN 12622000659707). ARTICLE SUMMARY The objective of this trial is to evaluate a CHN intervention provided to patients aged over 40 years and living with chronic health conditions to transition from hospital inpatient care to their homes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon M Parker
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Parisa Aslani
- Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ben Harris-Roxas
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael C Wright
- Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Margo Barr
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - F Doolan-Noble
- General Practice and Rural Health, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sara Javanparast
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Anurag Sharma
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard H Osborne
- Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - John Cullen
- Aged Health, Rehabilitation and Chronic Care, Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Harris
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Fiona Haigh
- Centre for Health Equity Training, Research and Evaluation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark Harris
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Mistry SK, Harris E, Li X, Harris MF. Feasibility and acceptability of involving bilingual community navigators to improve access to health and social care services in general practice setting of Australia. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:476. [PMID: 37170092 PMCID: PMC10174608 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09514-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds often face difficulties in accessing health and social care services. This study explored the feasibility and acceptability of involving community health workers (CHWs) as bilingual community navigators (BCNs) in general practice setting, to help patients from CALD backgrounds access health and social care services in Australia. METHODS This research was conducted in two general practices in Sydney where most patients are from specific CALD backgrounds (Chinese in one practice and Samoan in other). Three CHWs trained as BCNs were placed in these practices to help patients access health and social care service. A mixed-method design was followed to explore the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention including analysis of a record of services provided by BCNs and post-intervention qualitative interviews with patients, practice staff and BCNs exploring the feasibility and acceptability of the BCNs' role. The record was analyzed using descriptive statistics and interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. RESULTS BCNs served a total of 95 patients, providing help with referral to other services (52.6%), information about appointments (46.3%), local resources (12.6%) or available social benefits (23.2%). Most patients received one service from BCNs with the average duration of appointments being half an hour. Overall, BCNs fitted in well within the practices and patients as well as staff of participating practices accepted them well. Their role was facilitated by patients' felt need for and acceptance of BCNs' services, recruitment of BCNs from the patient community, as well as BCNs' training and motivation for their role. Major barriers for patients to access BCNs' services included lack of awareness of the BCNs' roles among some patients and practice staff, unavailability of information about local culture specific services, and inadequate time and health system knowledge by BCNs. Limited funding support and the short timeframe of the project were major limitations of the project. CONCLUSION BCNs' placement in general practice was feasible and acceptable to patients and staff in these practices. This first step needs to be followed by accredited training, development of the workforce and establishing systems for supervision in order to sustain the program. Future research is needed on the extension of the intrevention to other practices and culture groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabuj Kanti Mistry
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Elizabeth Harris
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Xue Li
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mark F Harris
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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