Presentation
Engaging with Subject Matter Experts to Develop a Racially and Culturally Appropriate Study in the Greater Toronto Area
DescriptionThe Black population in Canada experienced a twofold increase between 1996 and 2016 and is expected to continue its growth in the foreseeable future (Statistics Canada, 2019). Additionally, Ontario stands as the province with the largest Black community in Canada, with Toronto being the most populated (Statistics Canada, 2019). Recognizing these demographic shifts, it becomes imperative to comprehend the unique needs of this demographic and cultivate effective solutions to support them. However, there is currently a lack of information on the challenges Black older adults face in their daily lives. To address these concerns, the City of Toronto initiated an action plan in 2017 aimed at combatting anti-Black racism (City Council, 2017). The objective of this plan was to eliminate barriers stemming from biases, prejudices, and discrimination to create a more inclusive and accessible Toronto for Black adults. However, it is worth noting that this action plan, along with subsequent iterations, primarily focused on activities conducted outside the home and did not consider the specific needs of Black older adults or activities within their homes.
There are a variety of needs assessment studies focusing on activities completed inside and outside of the home, such as activities of daily living (e.g., eating and bathing), instrumental activities of daily living (e.g., managing medication and nutrition), and enhanced activities of daily living (e.g., working and volunteering) among different groups (Harris, et. al., 2020; Remillard et. al., 2018). Instead of focusing on the populations’ identity, which cannot be changed, these studies focus on the populations’ ability, which is ever-changing. Thus, the challenges experienced due to the ability when completing these activities are not fully considered or understood. Given the increasing aging Black population in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and the lack of studies to understand these needs, this study aims to delve into and delineate their distinct needs. This inquiry intends to serve as a foundational step in developing and tailoring technology solutions that can precisely cater to the identified needs of Black older adults – an integral component to the design of technology solutions that support the aging population. Consequently, the primary goal of this proposed exploratory project is to gather the essential data required for comprehending and addressing the common and unique challenges encountered by Black older adults in their day-to-day and community activities – within and outside the home. Through a mixed method needs assessment study, this research aims to pinpoint the areas in which support is required to complete these activities.
The Needs Evaluation to Learn Valuable Information about Aging in Canada (NELVIA-Can) study was designed using a variety of theoretical underpinnings, previous research from other studies, and insights from subject matter experts. The foundational concepts of the study were designed using an anti-racist research framework (Goings et. al., 2023) and social justice principles in qualitative research (Lyons et. al., 2013) to center the voices of the participants in a socially just way. Additionally, the activity categories and interview script were informed by the Aging Concerns, Challenges, and Everyday Solution Strategies study (ACCESS; Remillard et al., 2018), the Everyday Needs Assessment for Cognitive Tasks (ENACT; Harris, et. al., 2020), the Selective Optimization with Compensation model (SOC; Baltes, 1997; Baltes & Baltes, 1990), and the Socioemotional Selectivity Theory (SST; Carstensen, 2021; Carstensen, Fung, & Charles, 2003). Guidance from the two needs assessments (i.e., ACCESS and ENACT) allowed us to have a framework on the type of questions to ask, while the SOC and SST allowed us to explore aging as a process and goal prioritization. Although the study was designed with all this in mind, it was important to understand if the interview materials would accurately capture the challenges and solutions Black older adults in the GTA face.
Thus, we conducted interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) to refine and tailor the activity domains and interview questions to understand challenges with everyday activities, potential solutions, and the interplay of social determinants of health. The SMEs included those who have personal or professional experience working with Black older adults in the GTA as caregivers, healthcare providers, researchers, or leaders of relevant community organizations. This qualitative semi-structured interview study was conducted remotely for approximately one hour with each SME. During the interview, SMEs were shown a draft of the activity categories and interview script we developed to give broad feedback in addition to things to consider for the study (e.g., recruitment). The interviews were recorded and transcribed to be analyzed later. A content analysis was conducted with a three-member coding team to gain a richer understanding of the challenges and solution strategies that Black older adults experience, recommendations for the study procedure, and potential ways to ensure the study is relevant.
In this presentation, we will discuss the study considerations suggested for building a tailored relevant study (e.g., building trust and working with connected groups) and review an updated activity category table that includes actual challenges with everyday life (e.g., lack of Black-focused resources and programs) and social determinants of health (e.g., immigration). Additionally, we will discuss the importance of interviewing SMEs to build a needs assessment study and the applications of their suggestions on the study with Black older adults.
There are a variety of needs assessment studies focusing on activities completed inside and outside of the home, such as activities of daily living (e.g., eating and bathing), instrumental activities of daily living (e.g., managing medication and nutrition), and enhanced activities of daily living (e.g., working and volunteering) among different groups (Harris, et. al., 2020; Remillard et. al., 2018). Instead of focusing on the populations’ identity, which cannot be changed, these studies focus on the populations’ ability, which is ever-changing. Thus, the challenges experienced due to the ability when completing these activities are not fully considered or understood. Given the increasing aging Black population in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and the lack of studies to understand these needs, this study aims to delve into and delineate their distinct needs. This inquiry intends to serve as a foundational step in developing and tailoring technology solutions that can precisely cater to the identified needs of Black older adults – an integral component to the design of technology solutions that support the aging population. Consequently, the primary goal of this proposed exploratory project is to gather the essential data required for comprehending and addressing the common and unique challenges encountered by Black older adults in their day-to-day and community activities – within and outside the home. Through a mixed method needs assessment study, this research aims to pinpoint the areas in which support is required to complete these activities.
The Needs Evaluation to Learn Valuable Information about Aging in Canada (NELVIA-Can) study was designed using a variety of theoretical underpinnings, previous research from other studies, and insights from subject matter experts. The foundational concepts of the study were designed using an anti-racist research framework (Goings et. al., 2023) and social justice principles in qualitative research (Lyons et. al., 2013) to center the voices of the participants in a socially just way. Additionally, the activity categories and interview script were informed by the Aging Concerns, Challenges, and Everyday Solution Strategies study (ACCESS; Remillard et al., 2018), the Everyday Needs Assessment for Cognitive Tasks (ENACT; Harris, et. al., 2020), the Selective Optimization with Compensation model (SOC; Baltes, 1997; Baltes & Baltes, 1990), and the Socioemotional Selectivity Theory (SST; Carstensen, 2021; Carstensen, Fung, & Charles, 2003). Guidance from the two needs assessments (i.e., ACCESS and ENACT) allowed us to have a framework on the type of questions to ask, while the SOC and SST allowed us to explore aging as a process and goal prioritization. Although the study was designed with all this in mind, it was important to understand if the interview materials would accurately capture the challenges and solutions Black older adults in the GTA face.
Thus, we conducted interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) to refine and tailor the activity domains and interview questions to understand challenges with everyday activities, potential solutions, and the interplay of social determinants of health. The SMEs included those who have personal or professional experience working with Black older adults in the GTA as caregivers, healthcare providers, researchers, or leaders of relevant community organizations. This qualitative semi-structured interview study was conducted remotely for approximately one hour with each SME. During the interview, SMEs were shown a draft of the activity categories and interview script we developed to give broad feedback in addition to things to consider for the study (e.g., recruitment). The interviews were recorded and transcribed to be analyzed later. A content analysis was conducted with a three-member coding team to gain a richer understanding of the challenges and solution strategies that Black older adults experience, recommendations for the study procedure, and potential ways to ensure the study is relevant.
In this presentation, we will discuss the study considerations suggested for building a tailored relevant study (e.g., building trust and working with connected groups) and review an updated activity category table that includes actual challenges with everyday life (e.g., lack of Black-focused resources and programs) and social determinants of health (e.g., immigration). Additionally, we will discuss the importance of interviewing SMEs to build a needs assessment study and the applications of their suggestions on the study with Black older adults.
Event Type
Oral Presentations
TimeTuesday, March 261:52pm - 2:15pm CDT
LocationSalon A-3
Patient Safety Research and Initiatives