Implementation science and the aged care sector
The consumer's perspective
As a user of aged care services at home and an advocate for evidence and quality in the delivery of care to our older citizens in need, I want to be sure that any clinical or psychosocial interventions are supported by evidence. Many practices in aged care do not yet meet contemporary quality standards; however, the implementation of the new Aged Care Act, which is rights-based, will ensure a move away from the medical model of care to more holistic, client-centred services. The transition to this new model will be underpinned by innovation from within the industry. For the past three years, Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) has supported this process of change by training care workers at all levels to look for solutions to 'wicked problems', think outside traditional practice and develop innovative ideas and products that have an evidence base in current literature.
Experience is a great teacher if one chooses to analyse the reasons for the success or failure of interventions to improve the quality of life. However, many continue to espouse the tired old mantra that ‘we have always done it this way!’. I can feel the winds of change in the approach to support and care for those older people who are losing their independence and sense of well-being as they age.
Research into ageing is now more readily translated into good practice in providing support and care to individuals at home and in residential care, and innovation is encouraged and supported. The traditional medical model of care is being reviewed as research now recognises the importance of social, cognitive, emotional and spiritual aspects of human development and the dynamic between the physical and these other domains. Person-centred care is a revisionary approach, as there are many factors that contribute to quality of life. However, evidence is required to support a new theoretical framework and creative and innovative interventions. There is now a growing body of evidence-based approaches, and a surge of innovative ideas, but the primary question remains whether my organisation is ready for the change, and what factors do I need to consider before I successfully progress this idea into practice
As a user of aged care services, I am excited to read the series on the science of implementation applied to aged care led by researchers at Flinders University. Many good ideas are often lost or the innovators discouraged when the implementation of innovation fails, and yet there are identified precursors to success. The care economy is now too big to fail, and the Commonwealth is relying on organisations and individuals to assist them in finding solutions. Collaboration between organisations and researchers is now the key to quality improvements in this sector, with evidence translated into practical resources and support for workers in health care, aged care, childcare, disability care, social care and veterans care.
Judith Leeson Independent Advocate for Quality, Evidence-Based Aged Care Career Counsellor, Coach and Consultant South Australia