"I have a keen interest to make care better for persons seeking care in B.C. and improving the professional practice of clinicians by assisting them to learn about patient-centered tools to implement at the point-of-care. It is wonderful to work with our practice partners who are passionate about listening to the voice of mental health clients.”
— Dr. Angela Wolff, Associate Professor of Nursing
Hearing and understanding the patient’s perspective is an increasing priority among health-care providers, especially as the research demonstrates the value of incorporating data derived from voice of persons.
TWU’s Dr. Angela Wolff has been advancing research in patient-centered measurement (PCM) data for the past several years, through her scholarly work that is recognized and supported by BC Supporting Patient Oriented Research and Canadian Frailty Network (with Lead Investigator, Dr. Rick Sawatzky).
This year, Dr. Wolff has been awarded a grant by Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, to develop clinical decision tools and host educational events, to disseminate an evidence-based guideline for the sustained use of patient-centered measurement data in community mental health.
Promoting patient-centered care
Dr. Wolff’s current project builds on another study that resulted in the development of an evidence-based guideline for health-care providers (HCPs) and decision makers on the integration of patient-centered measurement (PCM) data to incorporate the voice of persons.
Incorporating PCMs into routine practice is one way to attain patient-centered care.
In this project, the guideline will be spread to decision makers and HCPs working in the Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) program, specifically community psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery services in B.C. and across Canada.
In collaboration with practice and patient partners, two activities will be completed.
First, Dr. Wolff and her team will develop and share clinical decision tools for HCPs to routinely integrate patient-centered assessment tools.
To increase awareness about the guideline, educational webinars will be developed, offered, and evaluated.
These activities facilitate the wider uptake and sustainability of PCMs at the point of care. Expected outcomes and products of this project include: (a) person-centered care for psychosocial rehabilitation, (b) clinical decision tools and webinars to augment the applicability of the guideline to MHSU, and (c) awareness for HCPs and decision-makers about the guideline.
Supporting health-care professionals in providing better care for their patients
Dr. Wolff and her team anticipate that their research results will support the advancement of patient-centered care in B.C.
She is further encouraged by the increasing adoption of patient-centered measurement among health-care providers, after observing how providers are actively applying these tools in their clinical practice. “It’s really interesting to see the field progress over time in our B.C. health-care systems. I have a keen interest to make care better for persons seeking care in B.C. and improving the professional practice of clinicians by assisting them to learn about patient-centered tools to implement at the point-of-care. It is wonderful to work with our practice partners who are passionate about listening to the voice of mental health clients,” she said.
The team at TWU also works with a larger network of stakeholders from across the province, including research partners from the BC Cancer Agency, Fraser Health Authority, and several knowledge experts in the field.
Anthony Neptune, who is the project’s research user lead, is Manager of Rehabilitation and Recovery Services, MHSU at the Fraser Health Authority (FHA). Anthony oversees the MHSU rehabilitation and recovery services that use patient-centered measurement, including both internal services and contracted services to local agencies. Anthony was the lead for the redesign work to implement patient-centered measurement in FHA internal services. Now that patient-centered measurement has been implemented, this project can support sustained uptake of its use by clinicians.
Dr. Zohreh Yaghoub Zadeh is the evaluation leader for MHSU at the Fraser Health Authority (FHA). Dr. Yaghoub Zadeh has a PhD in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Toronto and has worked as a Research Scientist for five years. In her current regional role, Zohreh has been instrumental in leading, implementing, and supporting the evaluation of MHSU services using patient-reported measures, including rehabilitation and recovery services.
Dr. Lynn Musto from Trinity Western University is another member of the research team. Lynn Musto has a PhD in Nursing, and she is an Assistant Professor in TWU’s School of Nursing. Lynn is the Coordinator for the Mental Health course in the undergraduate Nursing program and teaches Healthcare Ethics in the graduate program. She has 23 years of clinical experience working in acute and tertiary mental health settings with adolescents and adults.
Dr. Angela Wolff from Trinity Western University is the project’s principal investigator. As Associate Professor of Nursing, Angela is an outstanding scholar who brings research together with clinical practice for sustainable practice change. She has worked in all sectors of practice: education, regulatory, research, and practice. Dr. Wolff is a Certified Health Executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders. She was a recipient of the UBC School of Nursing Centenary Medal of Distinction (2019) and the Excellence in Research Award from the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (2014). Passionate about undergraduate, graduate, and ongoing post-licensure education, Dr. Wolff has sought to support new graduate nurse transition, educator/clinical teacher development, specialty education, and practice changes.
See also—TWU’s Dr. Landa Terblanche awarded the 2021 Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) Wendy McBride Award:
TWU News
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
For media inquiries, please contact: media@twu.ca