Report on the CIHR Summer Program In Aging

SPA 2015

Lawrence Sacco, King’s College London Jing Liao, UCL

Presentation Outline

• Introduction and content of the SPA

• Key messages from the SPA

• A critical view on the talks of the SPA

• Knowledge translation (KT)

• Our personal experiences and impressions of SPA

The Summer Program in Aging 2015More Year, Better Lives:

Health, wellness and participation of older adults in the world of work

• Program objective: provide interdisciplinary training to postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows from an international perspective the theme of ageing

The Summer Program in Aging 2015

• Participating institutes: Institute for Work & Health (Main organisers)– Independent institute on work and health

CIHR Institutes of Aging, CIHR Institutes of Gender and Health CIHR Institutes of Musculoskeletal Health Arthritis

The Summer Program in Aging 2015

• “Overview” Lectures– Common background for the discussions

• Plenary interactive sessions– Lectures with opportunities for wider discussions

• Small group activities with 5 mentors– Grant academy & Research ideas presentations

...Plenty opportunities to enjoy networking

Research Presentation Task• In small mentor groups we

brainstormed research ideas

• 2 ideas from each group were developed into presentations

• 5 minutes presentation delivered on the 4th day

Visit to the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute

• TRI technology team based in the University Health Network (UHN)

• Care and technology: iDAPT http://www.idapt.com/

Art Gallery of Ontario visit• Private visit at the Ontario Art Gallery

SPA2015 – Key messages & debates

• Series of lectures and plenary sessions on:1. What does work mean for older adults? (M. Gignac)2. Legal, regulatory, policy issues (C. Mustard)3. Work transition and measurement (D. Beaton)4. Workplace practices and accommodations for the

prevention of work disability (R.L. Franche’)5. The importance of longitudinal research (H. Shannon)6. The changing world of work and older workers

(P. Smith)7. Secrets to Success in Workplace Research (Plenary)8. Gender matters (MacDermid, Smith Tannenbaum)+ KTE (Jing will talk about this) and career talks

What does work mean for older adults Conceptualising age: who is an older worker?

Over 40? 50? Is defining a cut-off possible? Other approaches?

Kooij, de Lange, Jansen, Dikkers; J Man Psych, 2008 Sterns & Doverspike, 1989

What does work mean for older adults

Role of health Health is not at the forefront of aging and work theoriesCognitive and physical changes impact employment transitions, but health conditions do not explain all the variance in leaving work

How do individuals with chronic illnesses remain in paid work?

Attitudes on older workers – Attitudes Prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination– “Do older workers want to cut back on their job demands compared to

younger workers?” – If so what does it mean: poorer performance or better work-life balance?Need for more evidence on attitudes and how attitudes are linked to performance

Legal, regulatory, policy issuesProportion of workers with disabilities is rising in Canada.

– 11.5% of the working age population

History of disability rights and work participation in Canada– Ontario's Human Rights Code (1962) – 2006 Amendment prohibits age discrimination after age 65, practically abolishing

mandatory retirement.– Increasing adoption of disability management and return-to-work programs in

medium and large employers.

However disability income security programs are poorly integrated– Expenditure for disability benefits are 25.7bn $– 4 sources of disability benefits overlaps and poor coverage– No significant reforms of public programs concern that work participation is discouraged

Return to work and work transitionsMore workers managing chronic conditionsChoosing the concepts of interest

stopping work, decreasedproductivity, absenteeism or presenteeism

Contexts of interestPerson’s abilities, knowledge, life demandsJob demands ,environment, organisation

Importance of considering concepts, contexts and choosing appropriate analytical tools

However…

• Short of specific focus on older people at workplace

× Age discrimination× Pension age× Resilience× Transition into retirement

• Lack of evidence from interventions ? HR practices, especially for older people 50+

Loeppke et al., 2013. Advancing Workplace Health Protection and Promotion for an Aging Workforce. JOEM, 55 (5), 500-506.

Select Recommendations• Integrate health protection (safety) with health promotion (wellness), e.g. Health Risk Assessment • Prioritize workplace flexibility• Adapt technology• Integrate data warehouse : e.g. private insurance, medical costs • Raise awareness of workforce ageing issues

• Short of direction for future research/priorities ? What we don’t know Good example: P. Smith

Area What we know What we don’t know

Age, labour market participation and chronic conditions

Increased % older workerand risk of multi-morbidity (only partially accounts for not being able to work)

Relative contribution of biological and social factor for remaining at work?Intervention: condition-specific?

Age and return to work (RTW) following injury

Age is associated with different RTW processes, e.g. longer durations following an injury (more severe)

Impacts of age-differences in RTW processes on wage replacement outcomes?Age-specific interventions on RTW interventions?

Age and work conditions

Higher household labour participation. More workers aged 50-64 are influenced by care responsibilities

The impacts of changes in labour market participation of couples? The challenges of caring for elderly parents and work?

Knowledge translation (KT)

Why KT matters??

• Creation of new health knowledge ≠ implementation

• In a time of fiscal restraint, there is increased pressure for publically-funded research to be more applicable to society at large

• Thus, health funders are increasingly requiring researchers to address how they will translate findings!

KT is the mechanism through which research can have an IMPACT.

Knowledge translation (KT)

What is KT??

CIHR’s definition: Knowledge translation is a dynamic and iterative process that

includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically sound application of knowledge to improve the health of Canadians, provide more effective health services and products and strengthen the health care system.

This process takes place within a system of interactions between researchers and knowledge users that may vary in intensity, complexity and level of engagement depending on the nature of the research and the findings as well as the needs of the particular knowledge user.

Knowledge translation (KT) at CIHR

Knowledge translation (KT) at CIHR

Two broad types of KT

1. End-of-grant KT: A plan is made after research findings• Researcher develops and implements a plan for making

knowledge users aware of research findings and/ or promote action

• Ensures findings will be accessible to appropriate audience

2. Integrated KT: Knowledge users are engaged throughout the process

• Researchers & knowledge users co-lead the project: research question, approach and outcomes

• Findings are more likely to be relevant to and therefore used

Knowledge translation (KT) at CIHR

How CIHR promoted iKT

1.Funding Programs KUs involved in research

2.Initiative Design KUs involved in developing Initiatives

3.Governance Models KUs involved in governing Initiatives

4.Activities and Resources

Knowledge translation (KT) at CIHR

More about KT !! CIHR KT Resources

Educational modules/guides: www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/39128.html 1. Guide to Knowledge Translation Planning at CIHR: Integrated and End-of-Grant

Approaches 2. A Guide to Evaluation in Health Research 3. Guide to Researcher and Knowledge-User Collaboration in Health Research 4. Introduction to Evidence-Informed Decision Making 5. A Guide to Knowledge Synthesis 6. Knowledge Translation in Health Care: Moving from Evidence to Practice 7. Knowledge Translation in Low & Middle-Income Countries

KT casebooks: www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/29484.html

What I learned from SPA 2015

• Research on Work & Health in Canada • Excellent ECRs • Career paths of experienced researchers • Canada – political structure– healthcare system– culture & scenery

What I learned from SPA 2015

• Interacted with researchers from disparate disciplines– data mining approaches, biomarkers, illness

stigmatisation, caregivers’ health information use…• Assessing grant proposals• Learned much more on research focusing on

workplaces• Overall, positive and stimulating collective

experience

Thank you!

Questions?