Personal Interest
Airway Management-Covid
MacDonald, S., Kovacs, G., Witter, T., Leroux, Y., Crocker, S., & Richards, L. (2020). Implementing a 2019 coronavirus disease airway management strategy for a provincial critical care and ground transport program. (S2), S104-S107. doi:10.1017/cem.2020.413
This article outlines the method of the successful implementation of a safe, standardized approach to prehospital airway management in the setting of Covid 19. It highlights the plan for both air and ground services as well as the collaboration of stakeholders.
Prehospital Evidence Based Protocols Database
EMS Prehospital Evidence Based Protocols (nshealth.ca)
A database of recommended prehospital protocols based on peer reviewed research. The peer reviewers are a collaborative and diverse mix of prehospital care providers.
Peer Support in Mental Health: Literature Review
Shalaby RAH, Agyapong VIO. Peer Support in Mental Health: Literature Review. JMIR Ment Health. 2020 Jun 9;7(6):e15572. doi: 10.2196/15572. PMID: 32357127; PMCID: PMC7312261.
A literature review that examines the concept of peer support in mental health. It identifies many different articles, examines the effects of peer support services, and notes that a successful peer support program is only possible with collaborative efforts from all involved team members.
What is Health?
The WHO Definition of Health: A Critical Reading
Nobile M. THE WHO DEFINITION OF HEALTH: A CRITICAL READING. Med Law. 2014 Jul;33(2):33-40. PMID: 27359006.
An article that examines the meaning of the WHO definition of health and its connection to socio-economic and environmental policies. This article also proposes that the definition of health should include a reference to adaptation and self management.
Should the Definition of Health Include a Measure of Tolerance?
Brook RH. Should the Definition of Health Include a Measure of Tolerance? JAMA. 2017 Feb 14;317(6):585-586. doi: 10.1001/jama.2016.14372. PMID: 28196260.
This opinion piece that discusses the WHO definition of health and whether it should consider intolerance as a consideration. The author identifies challenges in measuring intolerance, promoting intolerance and that in order to approach this challenge, committed stakeholders are required.
Happiness and Health
Steptoe, A. (2019). Happiness and Health. annual Review of Public Health 40(1): 339-359. doi: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040218-044150.
This article examines the potential evidence of a connection between happiness (subjective well-being) and morbidity and mortality with positive physical health outcomes. The author determines that there are challenges in assessing happiness and providing interventions to target it, and that further research is necessary in this field.
Canadian Health Care System
Canada's Universal Health-Care System: Achieving its Potential
Martin D, Miller AP, Quesnel-Vallée A, Caron NR, Vissandjée B, Marchildon GP. Canada's universal health-care system: achieving its potential. Lancet. 2018 Apr 28;391(10131):1718-1735. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30181-8. Epub 2018 Feb 23. PMID: 29483027; PMCID: PMC7138369.
This paper analyzes the key features of the Canadian publicly funded health care system. It compares Canada against other countries and discusses the challenges the system faces (aging population, fiscal constraints). Includes suggestions for improvement to prevent the current system from becoming outdated.
Modernizing the Canada Health Act
Flood, C. M. & Thomas, B. P. (2016). Modernizing the Canada Health Act. Ottawa Faculty of Law Working Paper No. 2017-08. Retrieved from https://ssrn.com/abstract=2907029
This article examines the history of the Canada Health Act and the lack of evolution since its inception despite advancement in technology, changes in patient needs, and changes in places of care. Several recommendations are suggested on how to reform the Canada Health Act.
Determinants of Health
Evolution of the Determinants of Health, Health Policy, and Health Information Systems in Canada
Glouberman, S., & Millar, J. (2003). Evolution of the Determinants of Health, Health Policy, and Health Information Systems in Canada. American Journal of Public Health, 93(3), 388–392. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.93.3.388
This article describes the Canadian determinants of health, health policy and health information systems through the lens of health promotion and inequalities in health research.
The Global Role of the World Health Organization
Ruger, J. P., & Yach, D. (2009). The Global Role of the World Health Organization. Global Health Governance : The Scholarly Journal for the New Health Security Paradigm, 2(2), 1–11.
This author manuscript examines the global role of the World Health Organization (WHO) and its role in the global governance of health and disease. It also describes the WHOs constitution, functions, leadership and its priorities.
Healthy People, Healthy Communities: Using the Population Health Approach in Nova Scotia
Healthy-People-Healthy-Communities-Population-Health-Approach.pdf. (n.d.). Retrieved February 9, 2022, from https://novascotia.ca/dhw/publications/Public-Health-Education/Healthy-People-Healthy-Communities-Population-Health-Approach.pdf
A document developed by the Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection that outlines the meaning of population health and why it is important. It shares several initiatives that adopted a population health approach.
Multilevel Approaches to Understanding Health
The Dahlgren-Whitehead model of health determinants: 30 years on and still chasing rainbows
Dahlgren, G., & Whitehead, M. (2021) The Dahlgren-Whitehead model of health determinants: 30 years on and still chasing rainbows. Public Health 199, 20-24. https://www-clinicalkey-com.libraryproxy.nshealth.ca/#!/content/journal/1-s2.0-S003335062100336X?scrollTo=%23hl0000182
This article analyzes the Dahlgren-Whitehead model of health determinants. It discusses the practicality of the model and its need for evolution considering current day health developments.
Multilevel Interventions To Address Health Disparities Show Promise In Improving Population Health
Paskett, E., Thompson, B., Ammerman, A. S., Ortega, A. N., Marsteller, J., & Richardson, D. (2016). Multilevel Interventions To Address Health Disparities Show Promise In Improving Population Health. Health Affairs (Project Hope), 35(8), 1429–1434. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2015.1360
This article describes two projects and how they utilized multilevel interventions to reduce health disparities. It concludes that assessing the determinants of health disparities is complex and that it is critical to address the multiple levels simultaneously.
The Health Equity Framework: A Science and Justice-based Model for Public Heath Researchers and Practitioners.
Peterson, A., Charles, V., Yeung, D., & Coyle, K. (2021). The Health Equity Framework: A Science- and Justice-Based Model for Public Health Researchers and Practitioners. Health Promotion Practice, 22(6), 741–746. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839920950730T
This article discusses a health equity framework that illustrates the interactions of multiple spheres of influence . It takes 4 spheres into consideration - systems of power, relationships and networks, physiological pathways, and individual factors.
Chronic Disease
Smoking, Drinking, Diet and Physical Activity—Modifiable Lifestyle Risk Factors and Their Associations With Age to First Chronic Disease.
Ng, R., Sutradhar, R., Yao, Z., Wodchis, W. P., & Rosella, L. C. (2020). Smoking, drinking, diet and physical activity—Modifiable lifestyle risk factors and their associations with age to first chronic disease. International Journal of Epidemiology, 49(1), 113–130. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyz078
This study examines the link between modifiable risk factors and a person's initial diagnosis of one of six chronic diseases. It concludes that most people will have one chronic disease by the end of their life suggests that examination of the incidence of chronic disease associated with lifestyle factors may contribute to more impactful chronic disease prevention strategies.
At-a-glance – Canadian Chronic Disease Indicators, 2019 – Updating the data and Taking Into Account Mental Health
Varin, M., Baker, M., Palladino, E., & Lary, T. (2019). At-a-glance – Canadian Chronic Disease Indicators, 2019 – Updating the data and taking into account mental health. Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada : Research, Policy and Practice, 39(10), 281–288.
This article analyzes the data from the 2019 Canadian Chronic Disease Indicators. This report is produced by the Public Health Agency of Canada, is updated annually, and is extracted from a survey of Canadians. The focus of this article is to examine self reported mental health status in the context of overall population health.
The Impact of Comorbid Conditions on Critical Illness.
Esper, A. M., & Martin, G. S. (2011). The impact of comorbid conditions on critical illness. Critical Care Medicine, 39(12), 2728–2735. https://doi.org/10.1097/CCM.0b013e318236f2
This literature review examines the prevalence of critically ill patients in intensive care and the presence of comorbid conditions. It determines that the presence of acute illness plus a chronic condition influences prognosis and care delivery in this patient population.
Vulnerable Populations
Promoting Cultural Competence in Nursing
Bill, L., Debs-Ivall. S., Etowa, J., Haines, M., Letendre, A. (2018). Promoting Cultural Competence in Nursing. https://hl-prod-ca-oc-download.s3-ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/CNA/2f975e7e-4a40-45ca-863c-5ebf0a138d5e/UploadedImages/documents/Position_Statement_Promoting_Cultural_Competence_in_Nursing.pdf
This position statement was released by the Canadian Nurses Association in 2018 and outlines the position and beliefs toward cultural competence held by the organization. It discusses Canadian health and inequities, culture, cultural competence, power differentials in health care, and cultural safety and diversity.
Introduction to the Clinical Practice Guidelines-Indigenous Health
Government of Canada. Indigenous Services Canada (n.d.). Introduction to the Clinical Practice Guidelines. Retrieved March 14, 2022 from https://www.canada.ca/en/indigenous-services-canada/services/first-nations-inuit-health/health-care-services/nursing/clinical-practice-guidelines-nurses-primary-care/introduction-clinical-practice-guidelines.html
This government document was developed by the First Nations Inuit Health Branch for nurses in primary care. It describes cultural considerations when administering health care to the indigenous, and is founded on evidence based best practice.
Homeless People's Perceptions of Welcomeness and Unwelcomeness in Healthcare Encounters
Wen, C. K., Hudak, P. L., & Hwang, S. W. (2007). Homeless People’s Perceptions of Welcomeness and Unwelcomeness in Healthcare Encounters. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 22(7), 1011–1017. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-007-0183-7
This research study examines how homeless people experienced "welcomeness" and "unwelcomeness" during previous experiences with health care providers. It identifies that homeless people's attitudes toward health care services are shaped in part by previous experiences with the health care system and may affect their inclination to do so in the future.
Future Directions
Back to the Future: Achieving Health Equity Through Health Informatics and Digital Health
Brewer, L. C., Fortuna, K. L., Jones, C., Walker, R., Hayes, S. N., Patten, C. A., & Cooper, L. A. (2020). Back to the Future: Achieving Health Equity Through Health Informatics and Digital Health. JMIR MHealth and UHealth, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.2196/14512
This paper discusses the recent rapid increase in health informatics and digital health innovations and the impact to population health. It highlights the concerns these initiatives may bring to disadvantaged groups, such as racial and ethnic minorities.
Use of Telemedicine and Virtual Care for Remote Treatment in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic.
Bokolo Anthony Jnr. (2020). Use of Telemedicine and Virtual Care for Remote Treatment in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Medical Systems, 44(7), 132. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-020-01596-5
This research study explores virtual care as a response to the Covid 19 pandemic. It reviews the current literature and determines telemedicine is necessary and an innovative approach to medicine. It acknowledges challenges such as image and video quality, privacy, as well as the need for infrastructure in developing countries.
Nova Scotia Virtual Care Action Plan
Health Canada (2021, March 30). Nova Scotia Virtual Care Action Plan https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/transparency/health-agreements/bilateral-agreement-pan-canadian-virtual-care-priorities-covid-19/nova-scotia-action-plan.html
This government publication outlines the areas of focus for the Government of Nova Scotia's strategy to develop virtual care. It highlights current and future initiatives, federal funding, and performance measurement plan.