A Knowledge Translation Project on Best Practices in End-of-life Care.

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Medical Informatics
• Knowledge Translation

Background:

• Improving end-of-life (EOL) care in primary care is a critical challenge.
• Effective knowledge translation strategies are needed to implement best practices.
• Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) offer a platform for integrating clinical tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To promote the adoption of best practices in EOL care within British Columbia's primary care settings.
• To co-design, implement, and evaluate an EOL care toolkit embedded in EMRs.
• To leverage the knowledge-to-action model for successful knowledge translation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the knowledge-to-action model for provider engagement.
• Co-designed an EOL care toolkit with primary care providers.
• Developed EMR-specific templates, queries, and downloadable resources for 3 EMR systems.
• Employed a web-based distribution and evaluation strategy.

Main Results:

• The EOL care toolkit integrates seamlessly into primary care EMRs.
• The toolkit includes data entry templates, query/report functions, and additional resources.
• Initial feedback from phases 1-3 indicates favorable reception and has driven iterative improvements.

Conclusions:

• The EMR-embedded EOL care toolkit is a promising approach for knowledge translation in primary care.
• Provider engagement and co-design are crucial for the successful adoption of clinical tools.
• This initiative has the potential to significantly improve EOL care delivery by primary care providers.