University of Alberta

Project 2: "Building Context - A Case Study Program in Long Term Care"

Objectives

The purpose of project 2 is to explain how organizational context influences the use of knowledge in practice in long term care facilities.

Some of the more specific objectives are:

  • To describe the important aspects of “context” as it affects the use of knowledge in practice.

  • To describe the relationship between these aspects of context.

  • To describe the information sharing networks that affect knowledge use.

  • To describe the role of key people in knowledge use at various levels of the organization.

Data Collection

Project 2 is a case study utilizing various qualitative techniques to explore the role of organizational context in promoting the use of knowledge. Data collection involved the observation of day-to-day activities in the facilities, interviews with provincial health leaders, managers, care providers, family members and external community representatives. 

Three comprehensive case studies were carried out at one long-term care facility in each of the three provinces, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.    

Milestones

Data collection for the three comprehensive case studies was completed by researchers in September 2009.

Completion of data analysis for Project 2 will occur in March 2011.