- What is the Home Care Survey?
- What is the purpose of this survey?
- Who is conducting this survey?
- What is home care?
- Who will be selected to take part in this survey?
- How will I know that I have been selected to participate in this survey?
- When could I receive a letter to participate in this survey?
- Can someone help me to fill out the survey?
- Is there an online version of the survey I can fill out?
- How long will it take to complete the survey?
- What kind of questions will the survey ask?
- Why is it important for citizens to respond to this survey?
- I want to complete a survey – what if I don’t receive one?
- My private insurance pays entirely or partially for care services, will I receive this survey?
- What if I do not want to participate?
- The survey has arrived for someone who is recently deceased. What should I do?
- How will you be protecting my personal information?
- Who do I call if I have any questions or concerns?
1. What is the Home Care Survey?
This survey is an opportunity for citizens to express their opinions about the home care services they receive in New Brunswick. In this survey, home care includes services received from health professionals through the Extra-Mural Program (for example a nurse, a physiotherapist, or a respiratory therapist) as well as personal care from a home support worker (for example taking a bath, getting dressed, housekeeping or meal preparation).
2. What is the purpose of this survey?
This province-wide survey evaluates the quality of home care services provided to New Brunswickers. The results from this survey will be made publicly available on the NBHC website. They can inform on what is being done well and what could be done better in home care in New Brunswick.
3. Who is conducting this survey?
The data collection for the 2024 Home Care Survey is being conducted by PRA Inc, an independent research company, on behalf of the New Brunswick Health Council (NBHC).
The NBHC is an independent organization that measures, monitors and evaluates New Brunswick’s health care system performance and population health, as well as engage citizens in the improvement of health service quality.
4. What is home care?
Home care is a range of health and support services received at home that help individuals achieve and maintain optimal health, well-being and functional ability through a process of assessment, case coordination, and/or the provision of services. In New Brunswick, there are two different types of publicly funded home care services:
- Home care services received from health professionals through the Extra-Mural Program (for example a nurse, a physiotherapist, or a respiratory therapist)
- Personal care from a home support worker (for example taking a bath, getting dressed, housekeeping or meal preparation).
Extra-Mural program services are managed by Medavie Health Services New Brunswick and delivered by EM/ANB Inc. On the other hand, home support services are funded entirely or partially by the Department of Social Development under the Long-Term Care Program or the Disability Support Program. The Department of Social Development either retains the services of a home support agency on behalf of its clients, or clients may choose to receive services from private individuals.
5. Who will be selected to take part in this survey?
Names will be chosen from a list of eligible patients who received home care services during the month of January 2024 that are entirely or partially covered by public funds.
6. How will I know that I have been selected to participate in this survey?
Only citizens selected to participate will receive a bilingual paper questionnaire and a personalized letter at home from the New Brunswick Health Council inviting them to participate.
7. When could I receive a letter to participate in this survey?
The survey packages will be mailed starting in March 2024 and with one reminder sent 4 to 5 weeks after the original mailing date.
8. Can someone help me to fill out the survey?
If you wish, you can have a friend or family member assist you in completing the survey.
9. Is there an online version of the survey I can fill out?
Yes, this information will be provided in a letter sent with the questionnaire. This letter will have a personal identification number (PIN), which you will be asked to provide to access the online survey.
10. How long will it take to complete the survey?
This survey will take from 20 to 35 minutes to complete, depending on the number and the type of home care services received.
11. What kind of questions will the survey ask?
The survey includes questions that measure the quality of services, such as timely access, communication with home care providers, coordination of care, safety, overall satisfaction, and to what extent services are offered in the patient’s preferred language of service.
12. Why is it important for citizens to respond to this survey?
When possible, many New Brunswickers want the ability to be cared for at home, rather than in a hospital, special care home or nursing home. Home care services can help people stay in their own home and function as independently as possible in the context of their daily lives. The Home Care Survey is a unique opportunity for citizens in all communities to share their views and help drive improvements in home care services. The results of this survey will provide information that can be used for strategic planning for the future of our province.
13. I want to complete a survey – what if I don’t receive one?
To have the most accurate results, only citizens who have received home care services during the month of January 2024 for which costs are entirely or partially covered by public funds are eligible to participate in this survey.
14. My private insurance pays entirely or partially for care services, will I receive this survey?
No. Only citizens who are receiving home care services that are completely or partially covered by public funds are eligible to participate in this survey.
15. What if I do not want to participate?
Participation in this survey by selected citizens is completely voluntary. If you would like to remove your name from the survey list, please call the New Brunswick Health Council at 1-877-225-2521. You will be asked to provide your name and mailing address. This information is required in case there is more than one citizen with the same name.
16. The survey has arrived for someone who is recently deceased. What should I do?
Every effort is made to make sure this survey is not sent to patients who have passed away. If you are a grieving family member receiving this, please accept our heartfelt sympathy and sincere apology. If you wish, you may respond to this survey on behalf of your loved one. If you choose not to respond, we will respect your wishes.
17. How will you be protecting my personal information?
Answers to this survey will be kept strictly confidential. The New Brunswick Health Council will take all the necessary steps to ensure that all patient information is protected and secure. This survey adheres to the privacy laws of New Brunswick under the Personal Health Information Privacy and Access Act (PHIPAA - P-7.05 - Personal Health Information Privacy and Access Act (gnb.ca)), the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (RTIPPA - R-10.6 - Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (gnb.ca)), and the Family Services Act (F-2.2 - Family Services Act (gnb.ca)).
Survey results are always presented in aggregate form, which means that information is never released or reported in a manner that could be used to disclose your identity. Home health care providers and home support workers will not know how you responded to this survey.
18. Who do I call if I have any questions or concerns?
If you have any questions or would like to have more information about this survey, please call the New Brunswick Health Council toll-free number 1-877-225-2521.