Data sharing between home care professionals: a feasibility study using the RAI Home Care instrument

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Information Systems in Healthcare
• Interprofessional Communication

Background:

• Home care professionals in Ontario utilize the Resident Assessment for Home Care (RAI-HC) for standardized client information.
• Currently, RAI-HC data is not consistently shared with in-home service providers.
• This pilot study investigated the feasibility of sharing RAI-HC data between care coordinators and service providers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of data sharing from the RAI-HC system.
• To explore the impact of data sharing on interprofessional communication in home care.
• To identify areas for improvement in the data sharing process.

Main Methods:

• A one-day training session on the RAI-HC was provided to all participants.
• Care coordinators shared specific RAI-HC outputs, including health index scales, with physiotherapy and occupational therapy providers.
• Two focus groups (n=4 care coordinators, n=6 service providers) were conducted to gather feedback.

Main Results:

• The project led to positive outcomes, including the use of a falls prevention brochure and enhanced communication.
• Participants identified challenges such as time constraints and the need for timely data transmission.
• Difficulties in data sharing and assessment duplication were also noted due to busy workloads.

Conclusions:

• Selected RAI-HC information was successfully shared, improving communication between care coordinators and service providers.
• A single training session was insufficient for rehabilitation professionals unfamiliar with the RAI-HC.
• Recommendations include improved education, ongoing support, and timely data access for home care providers.