Exploring the Development of a Canadian Frostbite Care Network and the Future of Frostbite Care in Canada Using a Qualitative Approach

Lauren Klammer; Mary Ollier; Josianne Gauthier; Lisa R Allen; Malcolm Davidson; Yousuf Ahmed; Jenna Smith-Turchyn; Delphine Hansen-Jaumard; Sebastien Hebert; Sarvesh Logsetty; Dunavan Morris-Jantzen; Rachel Peet; Alex J Poole; Caitlin Champion

doi:10.1016/j.wem.2023.06.001

Exploring the Development of a Canadian Frostbite Care Network and the Future of Frostbite Care in Canada Using a Qualitative Approach

Wilderness Environ Med. 2023 Dec;34(4):427-434. doi: 10.1016/j.wem.2023.06.001. Epub 2023 Jul 20.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ College of Medicine University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
² University of Toronto, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
³ Whitehorse General Hospital, Yukon Hospital Corporation, Yukon, Canada.
⁴ Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare, Huntsville and Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: lisa.allen@mahc.ca.
⁵ Department of Emergency Medicine, Saint John Regional Hospital, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada; Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.
⁶ McMaster University, School of Rehabilitation, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
⁷ Department of Emergency Medicine, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
⁸ Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
⁹ Departments of Surgery and Psychiatry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
¹⁰ Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
¹¹ Northern Ontario School of Medicine University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
¹² Whitehorse General Hospital, Yukon Hospital Corporation, Yukon, Canada; University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
¹³ Northern Ontario School of Medicine University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada; West Parry Sound Health Center, Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada.

PMID: 37479605
DOI: 10.1016/j.wem.2023.06.001

Abstract

Introduction: The Canadian Frostbite Collaborative project is exploring frostbite patient care needs and current practices in Canada to inform the development of a Canadian frostbite care network (CFCN) as a national quality improvement initiative.

Methods: Using a quantitative and qualitative approach, this study aimed to define the landscape of current frostbite practices, challenges, and interest in future work.

Results: Current frostbite care practices were initially assessed through semistructured phone interviews of Canadian healthcare providers. Canadian healthcare providers managing frostbite in a range of health disciplines and contexts then participated in focus group sessions discussing the potential roles and opportunities as well as potential challenges in developing a CFCN. Roles and opportunities for a network in advancing frostbite care included facilitating research, educating stakeholders, facilitating collaboration, standardizing care, and advocating for frostbite care. Challenges identified in frostbite care and network development included managing resources, navigating the Canadian healthcare system, overcoming low numbers, and communicating with policymakers and frontline providers.

Conclusions: Formalizing a CFCN may provide important opportunities and support in overcoming critical barriers to providing high-quality frostbite care across Canada.

Keywords: collaborative research; frozen tissue; patient outcomes; prevention; protocol.

MeSH terms

Canada
Humans
Quality of Health Care*