Completed Projects at HERG
Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS)
Female Youth in Conflict with the Law
Knowledge Translation Strategies
Teacher Notebook Initiative
The Hampton High School Initiative
Capacity-Building
SMARTBoard Initiative
Competency-based Methods
Interprofessional Education (IPE)
Northern New Brunswick Youth Mobilization: Hepatitis C Prevention on Action
Prevention of Problem Substance Use
Canada Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey
The intent of this research initiative was to develop a provincial smoking profile for New Brunswick, based on data gathered from the 2004 Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS).
"CTUMS was developed to provide Health Canada and its partners with timely, reliable, and continual data on tobacco use and related issues. The survey's primary objective is to track changes in smoking status and amount smoked, especially for 15-24 year-olds, who are most at risk for taking up smoking." - From Smoking in Canada: An Overview (Health Canada, 2002)
The outcomes of this data-gathering effort provided the basis from which to complete a written report of key research results pertaining to smoking prevalence, history of use, sources for obtaining tobacco, and perspectives regarding exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.
Over time, the updating of this report will also provide a means from which to monitor smoking trends and to consider the impact of implemented comprehensive actions taken to address reduction and prevention of smoking across the province.
Download the PDF Report here
Female Youth in Conflict with the Law
The purpose of the proposed research project is to gain insight into the life experiences of female youth in conflict with the law. This research endeavour will identify key challenges faced by female youth within community and service delivery systems.
In addition, it is anticipated that this will define essential practices for supporting female youths' rehabilitation and positive development in the community setting.
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Knowledge Translation Strategies
The proposed research will compare two knowledge translation (KT) strategies, using tobacco control as a model for public health systems.
We will accomplish this by disseminating a tool (Smoking School Profile-SSP) that facilitates planning and evaluation of youth tobacco reduction activities at a local level. The project will build understanding of why and how KT processes operate at provincial and local levels using a conceptual framework that emphasizes Communities of Practice.
We propose a case study approach with the following specific project objectives:
- To compare the outcomes of a standard vs. enhanced KT strategy to promote appropriate public health response to results of local tobacco control evaluations
- To refine understanding and measurement of our conceptual framework of KT at a provincial level in order to explain processes of change
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Teacher Notebook Initiative
The Health and Education Research Group was engaged by the New Brunswick Department of Education to undertake a study to describe and evaluate the strategies employed by the Department in the implementation of its Teacher Notebook Initiative.
This initiative used applied technology as a model for the enhancement of inter-professional collaboration, teacher professional development and advancement, curriculum planning and delivery, as well as instructional and inclusive approaches.
The objective of this post-initiative evaluation was to provide relevant feedback regarding the initial implementation, and to examine potential impacts on educational service delivery practices.
This evaluation effort also outlined lessons learned to assist with ongoing and future technology initiatives across the province.
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The Hampton High School Initiative
The Hampton High School initiative has served as a model for enhancement of health behaviours and tobacco control in New Brunswick.
Three years following the initial implementation of this project, Health Canada in conjunction with the University of New Brunswick, completed a research investigation designed to assist in formally documenting the Hampton High School experience, and the key elements and processes that contributed to the reported outcomes of this initiative.
The majority of data for this study was gathered from research participants who had direct experience with or who were part of the implementation of this initiative.
The preliminary development of the initiative was prompted by staff and student concerns regarding environmental tobacco smoke and a renewed commitment to fulfill the mission statement of the school "to provide a safe and nurturing environment."
Critical aspects of the initiative that were reported across participant groups included the role of teacher champions in leading the strategy, the sustained commitment of students and staff, the creation of smoke free social spaces, and the provision of positive support for student smokers in reducing tobacco use.
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A Capacity-Building Strategy For Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Exchange in New Brunswick
The intent of this initiative is to plan and carry out activities that will result in the development of a formalized and sustainable network among policy makers, practitioners and researchers in New Brunswick.
The training and planning activities that are outlined in the initiative plan will be designed to contribute to the creation of both innovative tobacco control research programs and knowledge transfer strategies.
These actions will be developed and implemented based on the collaborative exchanges undertaken between investigators and users of research. The need for the development of strong working alliances among researchers, policy makers and practitioners has been identified as a priority area for action by members of the Implementation Committee of the New Brunswick Anti-Tobacco Coalition (NBATC).
Similarly, other groups have also recognized the need for such an initiative and have expressed a desire to participate directly in this project. These partner agencies/groups include:
- The New Brunswick Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport (Marlien McKay)
- The Canadian Evaluation Society: NB Chapter (Brigitte Maicher)
- Population Health Research Group (PHR- Dr. Paul MacDonald)
- Centre for Behavioural Research and Program Evaluation (CBRPE- Dr. Steve Manske)
- The Learning Eating Activity Programme (LEAP!- Dr. Gabriela Tymowski)
- The Canadian Cancer Society: New Brunswick Division (Lynn Ann Duffley)
SMARTBoard Initiative
This research endeavour was undertaken by the Health and Education Research Group in collaboration with the New Brunswick Department of Education, Park Street School, District 18 and SMART Technologies, Inc.
In the fall of 2007 the Health and Education Research Group undertook an initiative to examine trends toward change in teacher practices and student engagement as a result of the school-wide installation of SMART Boards.
The intent of the project was to document the conceptualization of the initiative, and to investigate its implementation processes, as well as associated outcomes related to instructional knowledge and practices, student engagement learning, and staff development and collaboration.
The major assumptions of the project placed emphasis on the development of grade-level professional learning teams among educators, application of evidence-informed practices, incorporation of strength-focused content, and creation of enriched learning environments for students and teachers.
Over 76% of participants indicated that their level of understanding of the general use of technology for instruction had increased significantly. Ninety-five percent of survey participants reported daily use of their classroom SMART Boards to present instructional content or to engage students in learning activities.
Survey, focus group and observational outcomes revealed a range of reported instructional practices and changes in classroom learning routines that had been realized as a result of having access to a classroom-based SMART Board.
For more information on this initiative and its outcomes, contact the Health and Education Research Group at 506-453-3515, or send us an email.
Competency Based Methods
Traditional case management programs have often emphasized the remediation of identified deficit areas through specialized treatment strategies. Information regarding youths’ adaptive behaviours, their competencies or potential are often not fully explored.
The purpose of this initiative is to implement a competency-based case management approach for youth in conflict with the law and to examine the degree of engagement (e.g. interest, participation, self-directed behaviour, satisfaction) of youth in the case planning process over the course of the project.
The project approach builds on self-determination theory (Losier, 2005) and the competency-based portfolio program (NB Public Safety, 2004) that involves exploration, identification and integration of personal competencies as main features in the implementation of the case management process.
Central to this competency-based approach is the development of a collaborative relationship in which youth are invited to be meaningful participants in the formulation of community-based plans. Such community planning also highlights the importance of the participation of the family and other significant community members in the overall case management process.
Inter-professional Education Using Simulations of Patient Centred Chronic Disease Care
The objective of the project is to develop a sustainable model of health care education which will equip students to work in inter-professional teams in patient centred practice through simulated care and practicum experiences for patients with chronic disease.
This initiative provides students with valuable experience in the ways that interdisciplinary teams interact along the continuum of care, as well as how such teams work at a specific point in the illness trajectory.
In order to achieve initiative objectives, the programme is structured to increase capacity for delivery of IPEPCP, and to provide students with exposure to concepts of inter-professional practice and with experience of patient centred practice through interdisciplinary teams.
Objectives:
- To facilitate and increase the capacity for health educators to deliver the inter-professional education model (IPEPCP)
- To increase the competencies of students and health professionals across disciplines to deliver inter-professional health care
- To provide opportunities for students and health professionals across disciplines to apply their IPEPCP program to inter-professional team work
- Evaluation of strategies for an effective IPEPCP programme and identification of better practices
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Northern New Brunswick Youth Mobilization Initiative
The Health and Education Research Group, in collaboration with Public Health Agency of Canada and the Youth Council of New Brunswick, has undertaken a research initiative to investigate the perspectives of youth and young adults 16 to 24 years of age on effective ways to promote the prevention of Hepatitis C and to encourage the adoption of healthy life style behaviours. The initiative was carried out in Northern New Brunswick in the Restigouche Health Authority Region.
Initiative activities were undertaken in Dalhousie, Campbellton, Jaquet River and Balmoral. This youth mobilization initiative is based on an evidence-based model designed to increase self-determination of youth in pursuing personal goals and wellness.
The purpose of this initiative was to identify better practice approaches from peer-reviewed evidence-based articles and grey literature documents for preventing Hepatitis C among youth. The scan assisted in the identification of key practices that may be used in the subsequent design and mobilization of Hepatitis C prevention activities.
The initiative included consultations with youth on effective means for reaching out and effectively promoting Hepatitis C prevention. The outcomes of this consultation effort provided the information required for development of a strategic plan, a logic model and a student-created DVD and presentation guide.
Think About It is a youth created product which can be applied to other youth led health and wellness initiatives. It creates curiosity in youth, leads to eagerness to learn more, fosters open dialogue among youth, and begins the process of mobilization towards youth-led initiatives.
Prevention of Problem Substance Use
The purpose of this research initiative was to develop a bilingual activity kit for educational professionals to assist in the prevention of problem alcohol and substance use among youth.
The preliminary development phases of this project entailed obtaining current perspectives of youth (ages 12-24, middle school, high school, university level) regarding specific factors that influence youth’s decisions about whether to use or experiment with alcohol or illicit substances.
In order to gather feedback from youth, focus groups were organized across three provinces including Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
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Ongoing Projects at HERG
Learn about the Ongoing Projects at HERG