Reinforcing equity: Taiwan Holistic Care Evidence Implementation Center
Author: SF Phoenix Tsay
In the pursuit of equitable healthcare, Taiwan has taken a significant step by establishing the Taiwan Holistic Care Evidence Implementation Center, a proud affiliate of JBI. This article explores the operations of our nascent Center, indicating our steadfast dedication, not only to equity, but also to promoting evidence-based research and implementation on a broader scale. We will explore the diverse approaches of our Center, highlighting our initial efforts in incorporating equity-centred principles into our operations, and offering insights into our first JBI methodology training course. This JBI methodology training course is a key initiative showcasing our endeavours in advancing global health equity.
Research and prioritisation: a balanced approach
Evidence-based decision-making implies that decisions stem from the best available evidence obtained from research, data and scientific investigation. While endeavouring to support broad empirical research, our Center adopts the following strategies to enhance the priority of these research initiatives.
- We firmly believe that equity starts with inclusive dialogue. We engage a diverse group of stakeholders to identify, augment and prioritise research concerns.
- By weaving equity considerations into research questions, we ensure that our inquiries address the unique needs of vulnerable communities.
We actively strive to involve individuals from wider regions of Taiwan, including remote areas such as Hualien and Pingtung, as part of our priority training targets. This is manifested by facilitating online seminars and fostering dialogue with communities from these regions to identify localised healthcare challenges. While our efforts in this area are increasing, we believe these initiatives hold significant promise in nurturing a more inclusive research agenda that genuinely encapsulates the diverse healthcare needs across Taiwan.
Our recent initiatives echo this sentiment, such as the development of a telemedicine study aimed at enhancing end-of-life care in remote areas, fostering partnerships with home care clinics, and seeking the involvement of disabled and elderly individuals in these underserviced regions. This approach not only integrates equity considerations into our research, but also exemplifies our ongoing commitment to expanding healthcare access for vulnerable groups, thereby establishing our Center as grounded in the principles of inclusivity and balanced prioritisation.
Translation and implementation: bridging the equity gap
Creative knowledge translation
Our Center stands out for adopting creative strategies in knowledge translation and implementation. The Center's director employs innovative communication methods and channels to simplify complex research findings, ensuring technical inclusivity. This also fosters a culture that bridges knowledge translation and implementation through creativity.
As an example, our director has recently spearheaded the development of virtual reality (VR) software to facilitate foot reflexology education, an empirically and evidence-based nature medicine approach. This pioneering initiative serves not only as an educational tool, but also as a gateway to foster inclusivity and bridge the equity gap in healthcare. The VR software provides an immersive learning experience, allowing users to engage in a hands-on approach to understand and apply the principles of foot reflexology. By harnessing the power of technology, the Center brings this redefined ancient practice into the modern age, making it more accessible and approachable for more people. This initiative not only aligns with the Center's commitment to fostering digital health equity, but also represents a novel strategy in translating traditional healthcare knowledge into a format that resonates with a contemporary audience.
Additionally, the Center is adept in making research findings accessible and relatable to a broader audience. Evidence-based research has shown that dementia-friendly environmental designs can harness the ability of buildings (which, unlike humans, can operate 24/7 without rest) to optimise helpful stimulation, support movement and engagement, and respond to visions for a way of life for individuals with dementia. Our director published a book titled A perfect day for people living with dementia: What dementia friendly environmental design can do, complete with illustrations to vividly explain the principles of dementia-friendly environmental design. This work illustrates how these designs can significantly benefit individuals with dementia, portraying the material in an accessible and engaging manner. This approach, focusing on narrowing knowledge gaps, plays a crucial role in bridging the equity divide.
In short, we advocate for:
- innovative presentation of research findings, utilising creative methods to make complex research results comprehensible to all, promoting a culture where knowledge transcends academic terminology
- fostering digital health equity, emphasising technology as a facilitator, not a barrier, in accessing healthcare information and services.
Building equitable competency: our inaugural JBI methodology training course
Empowering researchers
We refer to our evidence-based JBI research methodology training as building equitable competency. In the field of healthcare, a symbiotic relationship predominantly functions on a cause-and-effect mechanism between evidence-based research and implementation and healthcare equity. At its core, evidence-based research acts as an instrument for recognising and understanding the existing disparities within healthcare systems, becoming the catalyst that sparks initiatives aiming to achieve equity. This process begins with the meticulous collection and analysis of data that unveils the nuanced healthcare needs and obstacles faced by various communities. Once identified, these insights steer the development of informed, custom-tailored, and flexible healthcare strategies and policies.
As these strategies come into play, they actively endeavour to reduce gaps, nurturing a healthcare landscape that is more inclusive and equitable. Moreover, the iterative character of evidence-based research ensures a constant cycle of improvements, where the effects (the results of the strategies implemented) become the groundwork for further research, propelling an evolution towards a healthcare system that grows progressively equitable and just.
Here is a glimpse of our inaugural JBI methodology training course, an event marking the beginning of empowering a new generation of researchers:
- Comprehensive training: This course gave 24 new and experienced researchers the vital tools and knowledge to undertake evidence-based research pivotal in addressing equity concerns.
- Expert guidance: Distinguished experts in the field imparted insights and guidance, aiding participants in refining their skills in evidence-based research methodology.
- Opportunities for interaction: The course acted as a vibrant hub of idea exchange, fostering interaction and dialogue among researchers and encouraging collaborations that have the potential to shape the future of medical research.
Lessons learned: our equity odyssey
As we traverse this equitable path, we find ourselves constantly learning and evolving. Here are some valuable insights that have guided our journey:
Diverse voices and values: Combining enhanced research capabilities with a range of voices and values leads to more equitable outcomes.
Overcoming language barriers: Innovation in knowledge translation serves as a beacon, making research universally accessible and relevant, and dismantling language and textual barriers.
Conclusion
The Taiwan Holistic Care Evidence Implementation Center embodies the power of prioritising equity in healthcare research and implementation. Our commitment to inclusive voices, creative knowledge translation, capacity building and digital health equity is evolving from a vision into reality.
Key take-home messages
1. Balanced prioritisation: Endeavour to merge evidence-based research and equity-centric values, fostering an ecosystem that encourages shared learning and inclusive advancements. This approach emphasises harmonising various perspectives and initiatives, paving the way for comprehensive and inclusive progress in healthcare research and implementation.
2. Innovative approaches in knowledge translation: Welcome innovative techniques in knowledge translation and capacity building to make research findings more accessible and relevant to a diverse audience. This includes utilising creative avenues, such as comics and VR, which not only broadens the accessibility of research, but fosters a culture that transcends the constraints of academic terminology.
3. Commitment to digital health accessibility: Uphold the importance of promoting digital health equity to guarantee equal access to healthcare technology and information. This commitment establishes a robust groundwork for a healthcare environment that is adaptive and inclusive, promoting continuous learning and fostering pathways for growth and improvement.
Authors
SF Phoenix Tsay1,2,3,4, Roger Yau1,4
1. Taiwan Holistic Care Evidence Implementation Center: A JBI Affiliated Group, Hung Hsing Hsueh Home Nursing Care Clinic, Taichung City, Taiwan
2. Department of Nursing and Health Care, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
3. School of Nursing, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
4. China Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this World EBHC Day Blog, as well as any errors or omissions, are the sole responsibility of the author and do not represent the views of the World EBHC Day Steering Committee, Official Partners or Sponsors; nor does it imply endorsement by the aforementioned parties.
