French-Canadian validation of the Traumatic Grief Inventory-Self Report (TGI-SR).

The Traumatic Grief Inventory Self-Report (TGI-SR), which aims to assess both Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder and Prolonged Grief Disorder, has been validated in several languages. This study sought to validate the French-Canadian version. We conducted an online survey exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on grief. With data from 728 participants, the scale demonstrated high internal consistency, correlated significantly with three other scales known to measure similar concepts, and distinguished between groups known to be different. This study supports the use of the TGI-SR French-Canadian version by clinicians and researchers to assess complications of grief.

‘We have tried to remain warm despite the rules.’ Domestic violence and COVID-19: implications for shelters’ policies and practices

This article presents findings from a study that investigated the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic violence shelters’ policies and practices. This study was conducted in partnership with feminist organisations in two regions in the Quebec, Canada. Qualitative data were collected from nine domestic violence shelters, using a web-based questionnaire. Thematic content analysis was conducted using NVivo. The research findings reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic has created significant challenges for shelters, as they have had to ensure women’s and children’s safety while preventing the spread of the virus. In this context, they have had to adapt their services and practices, and it has sometimes been difficult to maintain their feminist approach. Nonetheless, shelters have been creative and have developed multiple strategies to overcome these challenges and to ensure women’s and children’s access to services. The research findings contribute to our understanding of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlight the essential role that these organisations have played to ensure women’s and children’s safety at a time when they have been particularly vulnerable.

Discussing around a virtual fire: Citizen engagement in a shared Decision-Making conference.

An online conference was organized to promote the Interprofessional Shared Decision-Making model and maximize its dissemination among stakeholders (citizens, health care providers, administrative staffs, policy makers, academics) in Canada. The goal was to enhance knowledge of and engagement in shared decision-making in a patient-oriented research, since shared decision-making has been hampered by reduced face-to-face contact, fear of infection, and overworked health professionals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we share a summary of what has been done to engage citizens in shared decision-making and to inform the interprofessional community about active citizen engagement in an online conference.