Barriers to providing hearing support for elderly ward patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What are the barriers and facilitators to providing hearing support for elderly patients in hospital wards?
IRAS ID
343195
Contact name
Susannah Goggins
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 25 days
Research summary
The majority of patients on hospital wards are elderly, and the majority of elderly patients have age-related hearing loss. Previous research suggests that ward staff often don't adjust their care for these patients, or do so incorrectly. There could be many reasons for this, like lack of skills, resources or awareness. This study aims to identify these reasons and identify what staff are currently doing to support elderly patients with hearing loss. To do this, it will use an evidence-based tool called the 'Behaviour Change Wheel'.
In this study, surveys will be collected from hospital ward staff across Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, North Wales. Any staff who support elderly patients directly on wards will be eligible to respond. Audiology staff, and those working on mental health or stroke wards will be excluded. Staff will be asked questions on how they identify hearing loss in elderly patients, and what they currently do to support these patients. They will also be asked to rate whether they feel they have the skills, knowledge, and resources to provide this care. Using the Behaviour Change Wheel, this will help the researchers to find strategies to improve care in a very targeted way.
REC name
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REC reference
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