We are pleased to feature here some of the ongoing research undertaken by trainees across Canada related to health workforce topics. If you would like to have us feature your health workforce thesis research here, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Nurses Perceptions of the Utilization of the Violence Assessment Tool (VAT) in Northeastern Ontario
Researcher: Oghenefego Akpomi-Eferakeya
Education: Masters (MSc) Interdisciplinary Health Student
Institution: Laurentian University, School of Rural and Northern Health
Summary of Work:
Oghenefego (Fego) is an MSc student of Interdisciplinary health department at Laurentian University. Her co-authors are Dr Judith Horrigan, Dr Roberta Heale and Dr Emily Donato. Her research is on Nurses Perceptions of the Utilization of the Violence Assessment Tool (VAT) in Northeastern Ontario. Workplace violence (WPV) is an ongoing problem in healthcare. In 2018, Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board reported 13% of lost time injuries because of WPV. Northeastern Ontario nurses experience physical violence 8% more than the entire province. Violence is rising within healthcare and if not addressed properly, healthcare delivery services like nursing care could be affected. The results of this study could inform decision makers to create policies that could potentially reduce violence against nurses working in Northern Ontario acute care settings and reduce costs to the healthcare system.
Exploring the Barriers and Facilitators to the Integration of the Nurse Practitioner as Most Responsible Provider Model of Care within a Hospital Setting
Researcher: Abby Ayoub, RN
Education: Masters (MSc) of Nursing Student
Institution: University of Ottawa, Faculty of Nursing
Summary of Work:
During my graduate studies, I have been involved as a research assistant on two projects at the Institut du Savoir Montfort. At the Institut du Savoir Montfort, one of projects evaluates the effectiveness of the role of a nurse practitioner as most responsible provider in a hospital setting, whereas the other evaluates the model of care of a nurse practitioner integrated to an orthogeriatric team. I have also been involved as a trainee in the nursing case study for the Health Professional Worker Partnership at the University of Ottawa.
Predicting Quit Intentions Among Nurses Working in The Bahamas Using Proximal Withdrawal States Theory: A Mixed Methods Case Study
Researcher: Shamel Rolle Sands RN, MSN (Ed)
Education: Doctoral Student
Institution: University of Alberta, Faculty of Nursing
Summary of Work:
Healthcare systems in The Bahamas, like many of its Caribbean neighbours struggle to provide essential services due to inadequate nursing personnel (1). Many suggest that the current nursing and nursing skill shortages throughout the region are largely due to vacancies left by the turnover of nurses (2). This is particularly troubling with empirical evidence supporting nurse staffing levels and improved patient outcomes (3-5). Turnover of nurses working in The Bahamas is not a new, however, there remain critical gaps regarding empirically supported information on which feasible, context specific retention interventions may be developed and implemented.
Dominant turnover theories/models primarily address voluntary turnover, where the employee controls their decision to stay or leave (6-7). However, these theories appear to have peaked in explaining the variance in predictors of turnover (8). My thesis research will be ground breaking work for at least two reasons. First, I will test the Proximal Withdrawal States Theory (PWST) by Hom et al. (8) which to my knowledge remains untested in the nursing population. The PSWT reimagines turnover theory by simultaneously exploring leavers/intent to leave and stayers/intent to stay. PWST also identifies four types of leavers (enthusiastic, reluctant) and stayers (enthusiastic, reluctant) based on their preference for leaving or staying and their perceived control to do so. The PWST, then simultaneously attends to voluntary and involuntary turnover. My work will extend the body of turnover literature. Second, my thesis research will begin to address critical gaps by providing the needed empirical support on which feasible, context specific retention interventions may be developed and implemented in The Bahamas.
Yvonne’s doctoral research project explores the introduction of Birth Centre Aides (BCAs) in Ontario Freestanding Birth Centres. Her research examines how the introduction of FSBCs and the inclusion of BCAs in Ontario can illuminate healthcare workers’ experiences of the sociological processes that construct professional and paraprofessional work.