Sara Luck

COMMUNITY BASED RESEARCH AWARD MARCH 2021

This prize is awarded annually to the best community-engaged research project presented at Student Research Day.

Quality of Care and COVID-19: Understanding Contributors and Impacts for Residents Living in Long-term Care

Background: In times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the delivery of care to residents living in long-term care (LTC) can be significantly impacted. LTC facilities are responsible for providing care so some of the most vulnerable groups in society, including the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions. The goal of this study was to investigate contributors to delivering quality of care for residents living in LTC, and how COVID-19 may influence this from the perspectives of long-term care staff.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive approach was used to conduct 6 semi-structured virtual interviews with care staff at KingsWay Care Centre in Quispamsis, New Brunswick. Interview guides were framed using a social ecological perspective. Thematic analysis was the data analysis approach used to identify, examine, and explore patterns within the data, as well as categorize and explain the data in detail.

Findings: Four themes emerged from the analysis that identified what most contributes to quality of care including: 1) person-centered care, 2) meaningful relationships, 3) organizational culture, and 4) community engagement. Participants reported COVID-19 created barriers across all four themes identified.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that resident care is impacted by both proximal and distal social influences. COVID-19 policy restrictions put in place to protect the most vulnerable paradoxically impacted quality of care delivery. These insights will improve the understanding of quality of care, as well as potential barriers and facilitators to care during times of crisis.