This second Café Scientific brought together BHI researchers from the University of Ottawa, Institut du Savoir Montfort and Bruyère Health Research Institute, as well as patients and community partners, for an evening of knowledge sharing focused on improving care for individuals living with brain and heart conditions.
The bilingual event featured projects based on the BHI research theme of Innovative Health Systems and Tailored Models of Care. The theme refers to innovative strategies for the care of brain-heart interconnected conditions to address gaps in the current care delivery system.
This includes knowledge exchange with communities to support the adoption of evidence-based strategies and practices.
The first presentation introduced an ongoing project focused on new decision aids for people with brain-heart conditions led by Krystina Lewis, BHI knowledge mobilization lead. It was given by Dawn Stacey from the University of Ottawa and Ann-Marie Julien, a patient partner from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
The two explained how decision aids can help patients play an active role in tough health decisions. The aids help patients learn about the options, weigh the pros and cons, and figure out what matters most to them.
The patient partner also shared her insights on how decision aids can support making informed decisions that fit best with patients’ personal situations.
Learn more about the Patient Decision Aids Research Group — Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.
Social isolation and digital communication
Social isolation is a common risk factor for brain and heart disease. At the Institut du Savoir Montfort, Sharon Johnston is leading research that tests the effect of digital communication on social isolation, to prevent brain and heart disease.
Presented by the research coordinator, Laurie Woolley, this study explores whether digital health messages that promote social connection and share local resources can reduce social isolation among patients.
Interventions, delivered through primary care clinics, seek to improve overall well-being and support better brain and heart health. A randomized controlled design is being used to evaluate the impact of these messages in real-world clinical settings.
Heart failure and mental health
The final presentation, by Krystal Kehoe MacLeod from the Bruyère Health Research Institute and Joël Assaouré from the Archipel Ontario Health Team, was about improving care for people with heart failure and mental health challenges.
Kehoe MacLeod discussed progress on the Heart Failure x Mental Health FRAME Intervention tool to help people with heart failure manage mental health challenges like stress, depression and anxiety. This tool is being co-created with Ontario Health Teams and community members to help patients, caregivers and care providers.
Kehoe MacLeod also discussed next steps for testing the tool and plans to grow it in the future.
This session of Cafe Scientific brought together BHI researchers, patients and community partners in person or online for an evening focused on how BHI is working to improve care for individuals living with brain and heart conditions. Attendees were able to learn about current projects, discover tools to improve their experience within the health-care system, and better support their health and well-being.
If you missed the event, check out the below Cafe Scientific recap video. To learn more about the BHI, check out this Intro to the BHI video. As well, stay connected with the BHI for updates on future events like this.