This project investigates information exchange during transitions from primary care to LTC and seeks practice- and policy-relevant opportunities to enhance informational continuity. It responds to the loss of family physician-patient relational continuity during LTC transitions. The research consists of a three-phase study: a scoping review of Canadian literature on continuity during LTC transitions (Okoh et. al, 2025), a multiple case study exploring LTC providers’ perspectives of quality information, and a qualitative descriptive study of family physicians’ views on current information exchange practices. Findings show that while informational continuity is recognized as critical to mitigating relational discontinuities, existing information-sharing practices are insufficient. Barriers include poor design in the LTC Health Assessment Form, transmission of obsolete information to LTC, perceptions that the information exchange may be redundant, and time constraints due to high workloads. The studies have resulted in a conceptual framework that supports recommendations such as revising and automating the LTC transition documents, fostering greater interprofessional involvement in information exchange, standardizing warm handoffs between discharging physicians and LTC teams, and involving patients’ families more meaningfully. The project is currently at the final report preparation stage, with next steps involving the development of knowledge mobilization tools.
Co-PIs: Lawrence Grierson and Augustine Okoh
Contact: Augustine Okoh (okoha@mcmaster.ca)
Research Project Update
Research Project Update, VIP Lab