Developing a theory of continuity of care relevant to the end-of-life

Michelle Howard leads the Continuity of Care at the End-of-Life study, focusing on three objectives: defining outpatient physician patterns in the last year of life for patients with organ failure conditions, exploring associations between physician continuity and end-of-life health care outcomes, and understanding important aspects of continuity at the end-of-life for patients and caregivers. Through this, the team will develop a theory of continuity of care relevant to the end-of-life.

The team is using a mixed-methods approach, incorporating quantitative analyses of health administrative data at ICES, public consultation through an interactive design installation, and qualitative analysis of patient and caregiver experiences.

Currently, the team is finalizing three manuscripts that report patterns of physician care and end-of-life healthcare utilization for three organ failure populations: kidney failure, advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and congestive heart failure. The team is also collaborating with design specialists to create an interactive installation for public exhibition in Toronto and Hamilton. This installation aims to convey quantitative findings and engage the public in discussions about perceptions and preferences for end-of-life care.