An EBCD social interaction study involving PLWD

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Exploring the social interactions between patients living with dementia(PLWD) and healthcare staff whilst in the acute hospital setting. An Experienced Based Co Design (EBCD) study

  • IRAS ID

    336597

  • Contact name

    Stephanie Janka-Spurlock

  • Contact email

    stephanie.janka-spurlock@plymouth.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Plymouth

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 6 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive conditions that affect the brain. Each type of dementia stops a person’s brain cells (neurones) working properly in specific areas, affecting their ability to remember, think and speak (Dementia UK,2022). In the UK, at any one time, 1 in 4 hospital beds are occupied by people living with dementia (PLWD), and they will often experience delays in being discharged, longer hospital stays, and reduced independent living (NICE, 2020). Within the acute hospital setting there is a demand on care professional to be task focused, and minor attention is given to the experiences of plwd, the carers and healthcare professionals. The aim of this study is to explore the experience of social interactions between plwd, carers and healthcare professionals. To empower these groups to develop solutions together, to improve the experiences using Experienced Based Co Design. EBCD). The study will take place across 3 health of older people wards (HoP) in one acute hospital. Nonparticipant observations will take place on each of the 3 Hop wards over the course of two months. Up to 21 interviews will take place with plwd, carers and healthcare professionals across the 3 HoP wards. Data will be analysed through reading, rereading, generating initial touchpoints (key moments in the experience), touchpoints will be grouped. Meeting with plwd, carer, and staff will then follow to identify, agree and define key touchpoints, where improvements might be made, in their smaller co design workshops they will meet up to three times over the course of 6 months to help make the changes/improvements. Further co design group meeting in six months’ time to review and evaluate if changes/ improvements made. These findings will then be shared at an EBCD celebration event involving the participants and stakeholders.

  • REC name

    Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    24/YH/0077

  • Date of REC Opinion

    29 May 2024

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion