The long-term care or nursing home sector in Canada has been systemically marginalized from the current evidence-based practice movement. The barriers faced include the severe resource constraints, the limited professional base and the lack of priority for the care of elderly members of our society. One province of Canada, Ontario, has taken a bold approach to reverse these trends by focusing resources to specifically address the implementation of best practice guidelines for the care of older adults in long term care homes. A role of Long Term Care Best Practice Guidelines Coordinator has been developed. Eight positions have been established to support the homes in their efforts towards best practices. A framework has been developed and implemented based on community action, stakeholder participation, organizational readiness and research on effective guideline implementation strategies.

In this presentation, an overview will be provided on the framework, strategies and early achievements of the initiative referred as the Ontario Long-Term Circle of Care. The theoretical and evidentiary basis for the framework will be discussed and research opportunities will be outlined.

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See more of The 17th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (19-22 July 2006)