Caring relationships during an episode of delirium. Version 1.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An appreciative action research study exploring the experiences of staff, patients and relatives during an episode of delirium to collaboratively develop strategies to aid the enhancement of relationship centred care.
IRAS ID
169435
Contact name
Aisling McBride
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
Delirium, also known as acute confusional state, is an acute medical emergency requiring urgent intervention and management. In acute hospital wards in the United Kingdom, approximately 20-30% of patients will develop a delirium. Delirium is one of the priorities within the Improving Care for Older People in Acute Care workstream; due in part to inconsistent identification and management of care. Existing evidence suggests that the occurrence of an episode of delirium can be a stressful and distressing experience for the patient, their family and staff caring for the patient.
Relationship centred care is the practice of developing mutually supportive relationships between patients, families and staff for the purpose of creating an enhanced care environment for all involved in the delivery and receipt of care. Due to the often distressing experience of a delirium, there is a need to understand the experiences of those involved, to enhance the development of relationship centred care in practice.
The study will use an approach to research called appreciative action research. There are 3 important elements to this type of research 1. Working in partnership 2. Uncovering what is currently working well and 3. Taking collective action, to enhance practice by using the knowledge of what people value. The research has 4 phases using different methods to inform each phase. Beginning with observing practice, to find out what is working well. Followed by interviews with staff, patients and relatives to understand their experience of care and what they value. Discussion groups are then conducted, using the information from the previous phases to discuss what ‘ideal’ care would look like and finally using discussion groups to decide on and support the implementation of agreed actions to enhance care. The purpose is to develop new knowledge to inform practice to enhance delirium care.REC name
Scotland A: Adults with Incapacity only
REC reference
15/SS/0020
Date of REC Opinion
7 Apr 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion