Commentary CMAJ

All editorial matter in CMAJ represents the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the Can adian Medical Association. 1238 CMAJ, August 9, 2011, 183(11) © 2011 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors The research of Boorsma and colleagues,1published in this issue of CMAJ, is notablefor framing its approach to intervention in a multidisciplinary chronic disease model of care. This is an important contribution to improving care in nursing homes because it integrates process mea-sures with outcomes that are important to the resi-dent’s functional status and quality of life. In con-trast, much of the North American research on care in nursing homes fo cuses on effectiveness, improv-ing quality or the culture of care. These three foci result in fundamental differences in the reported outcomes of interest. In a discussion of “what works ” in terms of the care provided in nursing homes, the first question might be “What are w