Adults In Quebec Research Articles

Determinants associated with receiving a medical appointment through the Primary Care Access Points for unattached adults in Quebec: A cross-sectional study.

Canada is experiencing an unprecedented primary care crisis, with 6.5 million Canadians reporting lacking a family physician, including 31% of the Quebec population. To address this problem, the province of Quebec implemented Primary Care Access Points (GAPs) to help unattached patients navigate and access primary care services while awaiting attachment. We aimed to examine the determinants associated with unattached patients receiving a medical appointment compared to another service through the GAP. Cross-sectional data (n = 13,291) from two GAPs were collected (June 2022 to March 2023). Multivariable logistic regression was carried out. Being younger, calling for an acute health problem, medication renewal or to have administrative documentation filled, having a physical or mental health problem, and using GAP A (compared to GAP B) were associated with an increased likelihood of receiving a medical appointment. This study is the first to document the characteristics of patients using the GAP and their needs.

Ageism Through the Informational Practices During Health Crisis: A Qualitative Study Among Older Adults in Quebec (Canada)

Ageism Through the Informational Practices During Health Crisis: A Qualitative Study Among Older Adults in Quebec (Canada)

Teaching materials for use in French classes for immigrants enrolled in Literacy Education and Second Language Learning for Adults in Quebec

Le personnel enseignant travaillant avec les personnes adultes immigrantes en apprentissage de la langue et de la littératie (PAIALeL) est confronté à plusieurs défis concernant la disponibilité et l’utilisation de matériels didactiques. Pour dresser le portrait du matériel utilisé dans les classes de français pour PAIALeL au Québec (Canada) et mieux comprendre les différents enjeux liés à l’utilisation de ce matériel, nous avons interrogé des enseignant·e·s en utilisant un questionnaire en ligne (n=53) et des entrevues individuelles (n=7). Nos données, analysées à l’aide de la théorie de l’activité (TA) révèlent un manque de matériel adéquat ainsi que des enjeux liés à l’adaptation et à la création de matériel ainsi qu’à l’hétérogénéité des profils des PAIALeL. Des implications pédagogiques sont aussi présentées. Teachers working in the field of literacy education and second language learning for adults (LESLLA) face several challenges related to the availability and use of appropriate teaching materials. To provide an overview of the materials used in Quebec’s French L2 classes and to better understand the challenges related to these materials, we collected data from teachers both through an online questionnaire (n=53) and individual interviews (n=7). Analysed through the lens of Activity Theory (AT), our data highlight a lack of suitable materials and issues related to the heterogeneity of students’ background. Pedagogical implications are also presented.

Transition of care from post-acute services for the older adults in Quebec: a pilot impact evaluation

BackgroundEarly discharge of frail older adults from post-acute care service may result in individuals’ reduced functional ability to carry out activities of daily living, and social, emotional, and psychological distress. To address these shortcomings, the Montreal West Island Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre in Quebec, Canada piloted a post-acute home physiotherapy program (PAHP) to facilitate the transition of older adults from the hospital to their home. This study aimed to evaluate: (1) the implementation fidelity of the PAHP program; (2) its impact on the functional independence, physical and mental health outcomes and quality of life of older adults who underwent this program (3) its potential adverse events, and (4) to identify the physical, psychological, and mental health care needs of older adults following their discharge at home.MethodsA quasi-experimental uncontrolled design with repeated measures was conducted between April 1st, 2021 and December 31st, 2021. Implementation fidelity was assessed using three process indicators: delay between referral to and receipt of the PAHP program, frequency of PAHP interventions per week and program duration in weeks. A battery of functional outcome measures, including the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global-10 scale, as well as fall incidence, emergency visits, and hospitalizations were used to assess program impact and adverse events. The Patient’s Global Impression of Change (PGICS) was used to determine changes in participants’ perceptions of their level of improvement/deterioration. In addition, the Camberwell Assessment of Need for the Elderly (CANE) questionnaire was administered to determine the met and unmet needs of older adults.ResultsTwenty-four individuals (aged 60.8 to 94 years) participated in the PAHP program. Implementation fidelity was low in regards with delay between referral and receipt of the program, intensity of interventions, and total program duration. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant improvement in FIM scores between admission and discharge from the PAHP program and between admission and the 3-month follow-up. Participants also reported meaningful improvements in PGICS scores. However, no significant differences were observed on the physical or mental health T-scores of the PROMIS Global-10 scale, in adverse events related to the PAHP program, or in the overall unmet needs.ConclusionFindings from an initial sample undergoing a PAHP program suggest that despite a low implementation fidelity of the program, functional independence outcomes and patients’ global impression of change have improved. Results will help develop a stakeholder-driven action plan to improve this program. A future study with a larger sample size is currently being planned to evaluate the overall impact of this program.Clinical trial registrationRetrospectively registered NCT05915156 (22/06/2023).

Tensions experienced by case managers working in home care for older adults in Quebec: first level analysis of an institutional ethnography

BackgroundCase managers play a vital role in integrating the necessary services to optimise health-related goals and outcomes. Studies suggest that in home care, case managers encounter tensions in their day-to-day work, that is, disjuncture between what they should do, in theory, and what they actually do, in practice. However, direct exploration of these tensions is lacking. As such, this study aimed to describe the tensions encountered by case managers in public home care for older adults in Quebec and their influence on day-to-day work.MethodsAn institutional ethnography was conducted through observations of work, interviews and a survey with case managers working in home care in Quebec. Data were analysed using institutional ethnography first-level analysis procedures. This included mapping the work sequences as well as identifying the tensions experienced by case managers through the words they used.ResultsThree main tensions were identified. First, case managers perceive that, despite working to return hospitalised older adults at home safely, their work also aims to help free up hospital beds. Thus, they often find themselves needing to respond quickly to hospital-related inquiries or expedite requests for home care services. Second, they are supposed to delegate the care to “partners” (e.g., private organisations). However, they feel that they are in effect managing the quality of the services provided by the “partners.” Consequently, they go to great lengths to ensure that good care will be provided. Finally, they must choose between meeting organisational requirements (e.g., reporting statistics about the work, documenting information in the older adults’ file, doing mandatory assessments) and spending time providing direct care. This often leads to prioritising direct care provision over administrative tasks, resulting in minimal reporting of essential information.ConclusionThe results are discussed using the three lenses of professional practice context analyses (i.e., accountability, ethics, and professional-as-worker) to formulate recommendations for practice and research. They suggest that, despite their important role, case managers have limited power in home care (e.g., with partners, with the hospital).

Understanding the Experiences of COVID-19 Public Health Measures and Well-Being: A Qualitative Study Among Older Adults in Quebec, Canada.

This interpretative descriptive study explores how public health measures implemented during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec, Canada, affected the well-being of older adults. Twenty-six participants aged 60-81 took photographs to depict how COVID-19 public health measures affected their well-being and were invited to discuss their photographs in virtual focus groups. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The impacts of health measures on the well-being of participants were framed according to three overarching themes. First, participants endured an intensification of ageism, feeling diminished and excluded from their social spheres. Second, they faced a burden of loneliness due to the loss of connections with their communities, particularly for those who were single and without children. Third, participants highlighted navigating a degradation of social cohesion. This manifested through tensions and distrust in both the public and private spheres, as well as acts of resistance in response to rules deemed unjust. While public health measures were essential to prevent onward transmission of COVID-19 and mortality, they negatively impacted older adults' self-image, loneliness, and trust in society. This study argues for a rethinking of public health norms specific to older adults to address potential sources of inequality. In particular, a greater emphasis is needed on social connectedness and addressing the unique needs of older adults during pandemics.

DépistaFest: The evaluation of an inclusive, positive, and playful STBBI screening campaign's effectiveness.

Young adults are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs), and rates of STBBI screening in this population are persistently low. The present study examined the effectiveness of Club Sexu's social marketing campaign, DépistaFest, in increasing STBBI screening, screening intentions, and general STBBI and STBBI screening knowledge among young adults in Quebec, Canada. Grounded in the health belief model, the campaign provided practical and scientifically accurate information on STBBIs and screening using an inclusive, positive, and playful approach. A sample of 686 participants (M = 28.0years old) was recruited through Club Sexu's social media to complete an online survey assessing campaign exposure, recent STBBI screening, screening intentions, and general STBBI and screening knowledge. Logistic regressions and ANCOVAs were performed to examine group differences on outcome variables. Compared to nonexposed participants, those who were exposed to the campaign were 2.11 times more likely to report having been tested in the past 6months, and 2.07 times more likely to report planning to get tested in the next 6months. Exposed participants were also more likely to correctly answer general STBBI knowledge questions and reported higher levels of self-perceived STBBI screening knowledge than nonexposed participants. The findings support the effectiveness of an STBBI prevention campaign grounded in the health belief model. Future STBBI prevention campaigns aimed at young adults would benefit from destigmatizing STBBIs and normalizing STBBI screening using an inclusive, positive, and playful approach.

Change in intention and hesitancy regarding COVID-19 vaccines in a cohort of adults in Quebec during the pandemic

ABSTRACT Although COVID-19 vaccine uptake was high in Quebec for the primary series, vaccine acceptance decreased for the subsequent booster doses. This article presents the evolution of vaccine intention, self-reported vaccination behaviors, and vaccine hesitancy over 2 years. A series of cross-sectional surveys were conducted in Quebec between March 2020 and March 2023, with a representative sample of 3,330 adults recruited biweekly via a Web panel. Panelists could have answered multiple times over the course of the project. A cohort of respondents was created to assess how attitudes and behaviors about COVID-19 vaccines evolved. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regressions were performed. Among the 1,914 individuals with no or low intention of getting vaccinated in Fall 2021 (Period 1), 1,476 (77%) reported having received at least two doses in the Winter 2023 (Period 2). Not believing in conspiracy theory (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.65–2.64), being worried about catching COVID-19 (OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.65–2.73) and not living in a rural area (ORs of other areas are 2.27, 95% CI: 1.58–3.28; 1.66, 95% CI: 1.23–2.26; 1.82 95% CI: 1.23–2.73) were the three main factors associated with being vaccinated at Period 2. Among the 11,117 individuals not hesitant at Period 1, 1,335 (12%) became hesitant at Period 2. The three main factors significantly associated with becoming vaccine hesitant were the adherence to conspiracy theories (OR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.95–2.66), being a female (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.48–1.90) and being younger than 65 years old (the ORs for 18–34, 35–49, and 50–64 compared with 65 and over are 2.82, 95% CI: 2.32–3.44; 2.39, 95% CI: 2.00–2.86 and 1.82, 95% CI: 1.55–2.15 respectively). As the pandemic is over, monitoring the evolution of vaccine attitudes and uptake will be important.

Évaluation de la structure factorielle et des qualités psychométriques de l'Échelle de Fatigue Pandémique parmi la population adulte québécoise: Evaluation of the factorial structure and psychometric qualities of the Pandemic Fatigue Scale among Quebec adult population.

The objective of the study is to evaluate the factorial structure and the psychometric qualities of the Pandemic Fatigue Scale among the Quebec adult population. The data analyzed come from a web survey conducted in October 2021 among 10 368 adults residing in Quebec. The scale's factor structure and invariance by gender, age and language used to complete the questionnaire were tested using confirmatory factor analyses. Convergent and divergent validity were also assessed. Finally, the reliability of the scale was estimated from the alpha and omega coefficients. The analyzes suggest the presence of a bidimensional structure in the sample of Quebec adults with informational fatigue and behavioral fatigue. The invariance of the measure is noted for sex, for age subgroups and for the language used for the questionnaire. The results of convergent and divergent validity provide additional evidence for the validity of the scale. Finally, the reliability of the scale scores is excellent. The results support the presence of a bidimensional structure as in the initial work of Lilleholt et al. They also confirm that the scale has good psychometric qualities and that it can be used among the adult population of Quebec.

Plant-based dietary patterns and genetic susceptibility to obesity in the CARTaGENE cohort.

The study's objective was to examine whether adherence to three plant-based dietary indices (PDIs) mediated or moderated genetic susceptibility to obesity. Baseline participants were 7037 adults (57% women, aged 55.6 ± 7.7 years) from the CARTaGENE cohort of Quebec adults. Two polygenic risk scores for BMI (PRS-BMI), 92 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and 2 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms, and three plant-based scores were calculated (overall, healthy, and unhealthy). Follow-up participants were 2258 adults with data on obesity outcomes, measured 6 years later. General linear models were used to examine the relationships between PRSs and PDI scores on obesity outcomes. Causal mediation analyses were conducted to assess mediation and interaction models. The overall- and healthy-PDIs and PRSs were significantly associated with obesity outcomes. Adherence to PDIs did not mediate or moderate genetic susceptibility to obesity. Associations between PRSs and obesity outcomes were partly mediated by meat intake cross-sectionally and whole grains intake among males both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Higher meat intake had a positive association with obesity outcomes, whereas higher whole grains intake had an inverse association. These findings suggest that components of a plant-based diet and a shift away from animal products, specifically meat, might be beneficial for nutrition interventions, particularly among individuals with higher genetic risk of obesity.

Translation of the Occupational Balance Questionnaire in French and its Validation

Background. Questionnaires measuring occupational balance have been created in recent years, but those available in French are limited. Purpose. This study aimed to translate and transculturally adapt the Occupational Balance Questionnaire and to examine the internal consistency, test-retest reliability and convergent validity of the French version. Methodology. A cross-cultural validation was conducted with adults in Quebec (n = 69) and in French-speaking Switzerland (n = 47). Results. Internal consistency was good in both regions (α > 0.85). Test-retest reliability was satisfactory in Quebec (ICC = 0.629; p < 0.001), but a significant difference was found between the two measurement times in French-speaking Switzerland. Significant associations were found between the results of the Occupational Balance Questionnaire and those of the Life Balance Inventory (Quebec, r = 0.47; French-speaking Switzerland, r = 0.52). Implications. These initial results support the use of the OBQ-French in the general population of two French-speaking regions.

Trajectories of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic among community-dwelling older adults in Quebec: A longitudinal study.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated public health measures may increase the risk for psychological distress among vulnerable older adults. This longitudinal study aimed to identify predictors of psychological distress trajectories among community-dwelling older adults in Quebec, Canada. The study spanned four time points across 13months and three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample included 645 community-dwelling older adults ages 60years and older in Quebec. Participants completed telephone-based interviews that included the Kessler 6-item Psychological Distress Scale (K6) to assess psychological distress at each time point as well as information on socioeconomic, medical, psychological and COVID-19 related factors. Group-based trajectory modelling was used to identify distinct trajectories of psychological distress across time. Three group-based trajectories of psychological distress were identified: the resilient (50.5%), reactive (34.9%), and elevated distress groups (14.6%). Individuals with mobility issues, insomnia symptoms, COVID-19 related acute stress, general health anxiety, increased loneliness symptoms, and those unable to use technology to see others were more likely to be in the reactive and elevated groups than the resilient group. Those with past mental health problems had uniquely increased odds of being in the reactive group compared to the resilient group. Individuals living in poverty and those who reported taking psychotropic medication had increased odds of being in the elevated distress group compared to the resilient group. These findings characterized distinct trajectories of psychological distress in older adults and identified risk factors for elevated distress levels.

Les paradoxes de l’engagement entrepreneurial de jeunes adultes québécois

Au Québec, les jeunes sont nombreux à s’engager dans des projets professionnels d’entrepreneuriat social afin de conjuguer leurs besoins de participation sociale et politique et leur désir de réalisation personnelle et professionnelle. En nous appuyant sur une série d’entretiens approfondis auprès de ces jeunes, nous analysons le sens que prend cette expérience pour eux et les paradoxes que soulève ce phénomène social. Les jeunes expliquent qu’elles et ils sont engagés dans des projets entrepreneuriaux pour se sentir utiles et pour exprimer leurs valeurs de justice et de solidarité sociale. Tout en remettant en question les logiques du marché capitaliste, elles et ils utilisent le langage néolibéral de l’« entrepreneur de soi », ce qui soulève des paradoxes et met en lumière la pauvreté des discours collectivistes et politiques que la société leur propose.

Food Values, Food Purchasing, and Eating-Related Outcomes Among a Sample of Quebec Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Purpose: This investigation evaluated food values, food purchasing, and other food and eating-related outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec, Canada. The role of stress in eating outcomes was also examined.Methods: An online household survey was conducted among Quebec adults aged ≥18 years (n = 658). Changes in outcomes during, as compared to before, the pandemic were evaluated using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of free text responses. Eating outcomes by daily stress level (low, some, high) were assessed using Cochran-Armitage test for trend.Results: Most respondents reported increased importance and purchasing of local food products (77% and 68%, respectively) and 60% reported increased grocery spending (mean ± standard deviation: 28% ± 23%). Respondents with a higher daily stress level had a higher frequency of reporting eating more than usual compared to before the pandemic (low stress 21%, some stress 34%, high stress 39%, p-trend <0.0001). Free text responses described more time spent at home as a reason for eating more than usual.Conclusions: To support healthy eating during and post-pandemic, dietitians should consider patients' mental/emotional well-being and time spent at home. Moreover, support of local food products may provide opportunities to promote healthy eating, sustainability, and post-pandemic resiliency of food systems.

Nature and perceived benefits of patient-initiated consultations in community pharmacies: A population survey

BackgroundThe role of community pharmacists in enhancing patient care has received increased attention. However, there is a paucity of literature on the nature, frequency, and perceived impacts of patient-initiated consultations in community pharmacies. ObjectivesWe aim to describe the profile of patients seeking advice from community pharmacists as well as the nature and impact of those consultations. MethodsA survey was conducted with Quebec adults who had consulted a pharmacist in the previous four weeks. Data was collected in 2017 and 1104 agreed to participate (25.3%). Of those, 93 were withdrawn due to incomplete data and 98 failed to meet the inclusion criteria. Sample representativeness was ensured by quota sampling (gender, age) after stratification by region. ResultsAmong the 913 respondents, 46% had consulted a pharmacist more than once during the four weeks prior to the survey. Individuals with a university degree consulted less often than those without (1.97 vs. 2.17 times; t = 2.0; p < .05) and participants with one or several chronic diseases consulted more frequently than those having no chronic disease (2.18 vs. 1.94 times; t = 5.7; p < .05). Older adults (55+) consulted more often for themselves compared to younger (18–34) and middle-aged (35–54) adults (1.53 vs. 1.31 vs. 1.44 times; F = 4.0; p < .05). Concerning the consultations, 58% were related to medications and 33% to health problems. In terms of impacts, 81% of consultations were perceived to have prevented the use of other healthcare resources. Patient satisfaction with their consultations was high with an average score of 8.75 on a 10-point scale (SD = 1.63). ConclusionsFindings reveal that the reasons for consulting a community pharmacist are diverse, most being related to medications or health issues. Patients reported that pharmacists were able to manage most consultations without referring them to other health care resources or professionals, and their satisfaction with their consultation was high. MeSH termsCommunity pharmacy; counselling; patient satisfaction; primary health care; surveys and questionnaires.

Implementing a Telehealth Support Tool for Community-Dwelling Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Investigation of Provider Experiences

ABSTRACT During the COVID-19 pandemic, policymakers had to quickly offer telehealth services to address older adults’ needs. This study aimed to understand the experiences of providers who implemented a telephone-based telehealth tool named Socio-Geriatric Evaluation (ESOGER), which assessed health and social isolation risks in community-dwelling older adults in Quebec (Canada). This qualitative study used 20 semi-structured online/phone interviews with health and social service providers coming from publicly-funded healthcare facilities and community organizations. We included adopters and non-adopters of the telehealth tool. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. We used reflexive thematic analysis to interpret the data. Three dimensions of providers’ practice influenced the tool’s implementation: service organization, working conditions, and interactions with older adults. Participants reported that the tool fostered continuity of care, provided guidance for their pandemic-related new tasks, and helped identify and support socially isolated older adults. Challenges to implementation included limited appropriateness of the telehealth tool for diverse services, feasibility barriers to adopting a new tool amid the health crisis, and acceptability challenges with some older adults. Despite relevance of the telehealth tool for providers, organizational, professional, and interactional barriers could hinder implementation success. Participatory approaches to telehealth may be promising avenues for future policies in this field.

Exploring the impact of Quebec’s vaccine lottery and vaccine passports on Covid-19 vaccination intention: Findings from repeated cross-sectional surveys

ABSTRACT In Quebec, during the summer of 2021, different strategies to enhance COVID-19 vaccine uptake were implemented (e.g. mobile vaccination clinics, mass communication campaigns, home vaccination). The aim was that at least 75% of 12 years and older individuals receive two doses of COVID-19 vaccines before the fall. This article explores the impact of incentives and disincentive strategies on Quebecers’ intention to be vaccinated against COVID-19. A series of cross-sectional surveys have been ongoing in Quebec since March 2020 to measure Quebecers’ attitudes and behaviors during the pandemic. In July and August 2021, in addition to sociodemographic information, the survey assessed COVID-19 risks perceptions, adherence to and perception of recommended measures (e.g. masks, physical distancing, vaccine lottery, vaccine passport) as attitudes and intention toward COVID-19 vaccines. Descriptive statistics were generated. Between July 9 to September 1, the vaccine uptake (two doses) rose from 62% to 88%. Among respondents who were unvaccinated during the period, 32% reported a positive influence of the lottery on their intention to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and 39% for the vaccine passport. Approximately half (51%) of unvaccinated respondents reported no influence from the two measures, and both positively influenced 20%. The vaccine lottery had a limited impact on willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccines among unvaccinated adults in Quebec, but the implementation of the vaccine passport appears more influential based on survey respondents’ responses.

Psychological symptoms associated with self-reported events of COVID-19 contact, symptoms, or diagnosis: a large community-based survey among adults in Quebec, Canada

ObjectivesPsychological consequences of COVID-19 contact, symptoms, or diagnosis are being increasingly reported. Few studies have examined the psychological effects tied to these events, using an unaffected comparison group. Most did not consider confounding factors like fear and stigma. This study aims to (1) identify individual characteristics associated with COVID-19 contact/symptoms or diagnosis and (2) examine the independent association between COVID-19 contact/symptoms or diagnosis and psychological symptoms.MethodsFrom September 2020 to February 2021, 20,327 adults participated in community-based surveys in Quebec. Using repeated cross-sectional online questionnaire, data were collected on probable generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depression episode (MDE), using the GAD-7 and the PHQ-9 scales, respectively. Self-reported events of (1) contact with a case or symptoms of COVID-19, and (2) diagnosis of COVID-19 were examined, along with several sociodemographic and pandemic-related factors.ResultsCOVID-19 contact, symptoms, or diagnosis was more frequent in young adults, healthcare or social services workers, adults living with children, and those reporting a greater sense of threat, stigma, financial losses, or daily stress. COVID-19 contact or symptoms and diagnosis were associated with probable MDE relative to the unaffected group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.12–1.39 and aOR:1.82, 95% CI: 1.48–2.2, respectively). Suicidal thoughts and psychomotor retardation were the symptoms most closely associated with a COVID-19 diagnosis.ConclusionResults from this study stress the need for better understanding, recognition, and support for people suffering from psychological symptoms following a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Exploring the associations between polypharmacy and COVID-19-related hospitalisations and deaths: a population-based cohort study among older adults in Quebec, Canada

ObjectivesTo study the association between polypharmacy and the risk of hospitalisation and death in cases of COVID-19 in the population over the age of 65.DesignPopulation-based cohort study.SettingQuebec Integrated Chronic Disease...

Exploring polypharmacy with artificial intelligence: data analysis protocol

BackgroundPolypharmacy is common among older adults and it represents a public health concern, due to the negative health impacts potentially associated with the use of several medications. However, the large number of medication combinations and sequences of use makes it complicated for traditional statistical methods to predict which therapy is genuinely associated with health outcomes. The project aims to use artificial intelligence (AI) to determine the quality of polypharmacy among older adults with chronic diseases in the province of Québec, Canada.MethodsWe will use data from the Quebec Integrated Chronic Disease Surveillance System (QICDSS). QICDSS contains information about prescribed medications in older adults in Quebec collected over 20 years. It also includes diagnostic codes and procedures, and sociodemographic data linked through a unique identification number for each individual. Our research will be structured around three interconnected research axes: AI, Health, and Law&Ethics. The AI research axis will develop algorithms for finding frequent patterns of medication use that correlate with health events, considering data locality and temporality (explainable AI or XAI). The Health research axis will translate these patterns into polypharmacy indicators relevant to public health surveillance and clinicians. The Law&Ethics axis will assess the social acceptability of the algorithms developed using AI tools and the indicators developed by the Heath axis and will ensure that the developed indicators neither discriminate against any population group nor increase the disparities already present in the use of medications.DiscussionThe multi-disciplinary research team consists of specialists in AI, health data, statistics, pharmacy, public health, law, and ethics, which will allow investigation of polypharmacy from different points of view and will contribute to a deeper understanding of the clinical, social, and ethical issues surrounding polypharmacy and its surveillance, as well as the use of AI for health record data. The project results will be disseminated to the scientific community, healthcare professionals, and public health decision-makers in peer-reviewed publications, scientific meetings, and reports. The diffusion of the results will ensure the confidentiality of individual data.