Empowerment interventions, knowledge translation and exchange: perspectives of home care professionals, clients and caregivers

Denise St-Cyr Tribble,Pascale Morin,Jeannette Leblanc,Marianne Xhignesse,Frances Gallagher,Pierre Godbout,Louis Voyer,Chantal Caron,Linda Bell,Mélanie Couture

doi:10.1186/1472-6963-8-177

Abstract

BackgroundFew studies have examined empowerment interventions as they actually unfold in home care in the context of chronic health problems. This study aims to document the empowerment process as it plays out in interventions with adults receiving home care services.Methods/designThe qualitative design chosen is a fourth generation evaluation combined with case studies. A home care team of a health and social services center situated in the Eastern Townships (Québec, Canada) will be involved at every step in the study. A sample will be formed of 15 health care professionals and 30 of their home care clients and caregiver. Semi-structured interviews, observations of home care interventions and socio-demographic questionnaires will be used to collect the data. Nine instruments used by the team in prior studies will be adapted and reviewed. A personal log will document the observers' perspectives in order to foster objectivity and the focus on the intervention. The in-depth qualitative analysis of the data will illustrate profiles of enabling interventions and individual empowerment.DiscussionThe ongoing process to transform the health care and social services network creates a growing need to examine intervention practices of health care professionals working with clients receiving home care services. This study will provide the opportunity to examine how the intervention process plays out in real-life situations and how health care professionals, clients and caregivers experience it. The intervention process and individual empowerment examined in this study will enhance the growing body of knowledge about empowerment.

Highlights

Few studies have examined empowerment interventions as they unfold in home care in the context of chronic health problems
With the ongoing process to transform the health care and social services network, there is a growing need to examine intervention practices of health care professionals working with clients with chronic health problems who receive home care services [55]
The dynamic nature of the intervention process and individual empowerment examined in this study will enhance the growing body of knowledge about empowerment

Summary

Introduction

Few studies have examined empowerment interventions as they unfold in home care in the context of chronic health problems. This study is part of a process to transform health care practices with the aim of strengthening empowerment of clients with chronic health problems. To achieve this objective, an in-depth analysis of home care interventions will be undertaken using an evolving model of empowerment interventions (enabling interventions). This study is concept-oriented and empirical in nature and will help to further refine interventions supporting empowerment. It is in line with the reform of the Québec health care system that calls for a transition of services from health care facilities to programs that support people in their living environment. It is essential that this organization use scientific knowledge to develop and deliver preventive and primary care adapted to the different needs of the population by supporting self-care initiatives and promoting autonomy

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