The CASTLE Project

Angela Frisina, RN, MHSc

Public Health Nurse, Hamilton Public Health Services &

Clinical Faculty, School of Nursing, McMaster University

Elizabeth Molinaro, MA

Project Manager, McMaster University

Funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) (2012-2014)

2014 National Health Leadership Conference

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Banff, Alberta

Community Health Brokers

as Health Leaders

• Creating

• Access to

• Screening and

• Training in the

• Living

• Environment

Background: The Issue

• Cancer is the leading cause of mortality in

Canada

• Cancer screening can reduce morbidity and

mortality

• Lower socioeconomic status (SES) is attributed

to lower screening rates

• Our region has lower rates for breast, cervix and

colorectal cancer screening

• Social determinants (SDOH) have a significant

impact on health

Background: Significance

Priority populations

• Known as under or never screened (UNS) for

cancer

• More challenges if diagnosed with late stage

cancer

• More difficulties meeting health and cancer care

needs

• Focuses on UNS

• Community Health Worker approach used

worldwide

• Trusted by their community and serve as a

bridge between health/social services and the

community

Best Practice Approach

CASTLE Goal

• An innovative model to

increase cancer

screening among UNS

populations

Community Health Brokers

• Creative Solutions

• Strengths-based Approach

• Mobilize and Broker Knowledge

• Social and Print Media

• Tailored Solutions to Barriers

• Build Structural and Supportive Pathways

Funding Agency Public Health Agency of Canada

Principal Investigator McMaster University, School of Nursing

Principal Investigator City of Hamilton Public Health Services

Brant Regional Lead

Hamilton Regional Lead

CHB

Niagara Regional Lead

Haldimand-Norfolk Regional Lead

CASTLE Project Manager McMaster University

Aboriginal Regional Lead

Francophone Regional Lead

CHB

CHB

CHB

CHB

CHB

Neighbourhoods

CHB =Community Health

Broker

CASTLE Network and Workgroups

6 CHBs

4 PHUs

CASTLE Model

CASTLE Small Media

CASTLE Website and Social Media

CHB Training and Mentorship

• Initial 3 days plus ongoing training as needed

• Utilized different learning strategies

• One-on-one mentorship from Regional Leads

(Public Health staff)

• Monthly CHB meetings

CHB Journals and Activity Logs

• Weekly journals: experiences, struggles

and reflections

• Weekly activity logs

• Six researchers met regularly to discuss

findings and confirm CHB journal themes

• Themes validated with CHBs

CHB Themes

• CHB Attributes: Leadership Qualities

• Becoming a Community Health

Broker • Building & maintaining trust and

relationships

• Empowering residents to self advocate

for their health

• Challenges: Competing Priorities

• Validation of the CHB Role and

Success Stories

Community Engagement and Trust

Community Champions

Understanding and Creativity

Shows Definite Promise to Address Low CS Rates

in UNS

• Network Partnership

• Community Engagement

• Message development

• CHB Training and Role Clarity

• Increased Community Awareness and

Understanding

• Cancer Screening Uptake

CASTLE Outcomes

• Follow community engagement

strategies

• Solutions need to be locally

driven

• Building strong community

relationships is key

• CHB approach combined with

tailored print and social media

improves community health

CASTLE Lessons Learned

• Community Driven

• Continue Building Partnerships

• Maintain CHB Role

• Knowledge Transfer

• Online CASTLE Toolkit

• Social Media for Community and Service

Providers

• Conferences and Forums

• Ongoing Funding

CASTLE Sustainability

CASTLE Project Team

• Co-PI: Angela Frisina, RN, MHSc

• Co-PI: Olive Wahoush, RN, PhD

• Co-I: Faye Parascandalo, RN, BScN

• Project Manager: Elizabeth Molinaro, MA

• Regional Leads:

Tricia Hack, RN, BScN; Jessica Wallace, RN, BScN;

Melanie Seguin, BA (Honours); Marty Mako, MBA;

Diane Peart, RN, BScN; Eric Robertson, RN, BScN

Contact Us

www.castlenow.ca

https://www.facebook.com/CASTLEknownow

CASTLEnow @CASTLEknownow

castle@hamilton.ca