Sask Polytech driving healthcare innovation through applied research
By engaging in applied research, nurses are helping people in unique ways.
Applied research in nursing is driving change and innovation in health-care.
It's empowering patients, families and communities across Saskatchewan, improving outcomes and best practices, says Dr. Michelle Pavloff, director of the Centre for Health Research, Innovation and Scholarship (CHRIS) at Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
“What I love about applied research is that the time we are taking to do research — which can take a long time — every step of the way we are making small changes, and we are engaging patients and families,” she says.
“In this way, patients are empowered to make their own changes to the health-care system to help inform policy and inform changes in the way we do things because they have been involved with the research. They are really driving it. There is a very promising future for nurses in applied research.”
A shining example is the Farmer and Rancher Mental Health (FARMH) initiative, an applied research project funded by Sask Polytech, the Saskatchewan Center for Patient Oriented Research, the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation and other industry donors.
The patient-driven research addressed what supports were needed for the mental well-being of farmers and ranchers, who often have a higher risk of anxiety and depression as these can be highstress occupations.
“We now have a registered non-profit organization called Saskagmatters, where farmers and ranchers can receive free counselling services,” says Pavloff, who was leading the team involved in the research project.
Pavloff notes that by working collaboratively with industry partners, patients, families, communities, government and other stakeholders, applied research produces tangible results.
“At the end of the research cycle, through our integrated knowledge mobilization, we have a product we can give back to the community, whether that is a new program or resource,” she says.
Among CHRIS'S current applied research nursing projects is a registered nurse, Dr. Pamela Farthing, working with adolescents who have Type 1 diabetes, exploring the challenges they face and what supports are needed. Another project involves a registered nurse, Dr. Sarah Kostiuk, working with patients and families in developing curriculum at Sask Polytech.
EMERGING TRENDS
Pavloff sees emerging trends in applied research within the nursing field, particularly postpandemic.
“One is how can we prepare for another pandemic, should it happen again. Another is what does our workforce look like now after the pandemic? We need to address burnout, fear and being short-staffed. It's a different world after the pandemic, especially for nurses,” she says.
“Another trend is the impact of climate change on our communities and how that is impacting our health.”
Sask Polytech is also looking at addressing integrating internationally educated nurses who are moving to Canada to practice.
“We need to know what kinds of supports they need to transition into Canadian nursing,” says Pavloff.
UNIQUE FIELD
Pavloff says applied research is a unique field as it involves collaborating closely with many stakeholders, including patients, families, communities, government, companies and industries.
“We are all moving forward together to solve problems,” says Pavloff. “At the end of the day, we produce a product that has been informed by the people who need it and use it.”
The Centre for Health Research, Innovation and Scholarship is a key driver for this research. It serves as a hub for research networking, allowing students and faculty to connect with potential research partners within the Sask Polytech community and beyond.
It also supports nurses at all levels, as well as nursing students and faculty in Sask Polytech's Schools of Nursing and Health Science achieve their research and scholarship goals in its various programs.
Sask Polytech's School of Nursing offers 16 degree, diploma and certificate programs, such as psychiatric nursing, continuing care assistant, critical care nursing, occupational health nursing and practical nursing.
“I really see so much value in nurses engaging in applied research,” says Pavloff. “We got into this profession because we want to help people and a very unique way to do this is through applied research.”