Dementia and discharge from Orthopaedic Trauma (v.1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the Lifeworld of people with dementia and other stakeholders within the discharge process from Orthopaedic Trauma.
IRAS ID
183989
Contact name
Kenneth M Davidson
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 28 days
Research summary
This qualitative research aims to examine the experiences of patients with dementia and other stakeholders (relatives/guardians, nurses, allied health professionals, medical staff and social workers) in the context of the discharge process from Orthopaedic Trauma. Orthopaedic Trauma is an area of the healthcare system that generally has a significantly high proportion of older patients with dementia and is an area from which this group are more likely not to return to their own homes upon discharge. Literature suggests that the wishes of the person with dementia can sometimes be neglected by professional and family driven discharge decisions that are aimed at maintaining physical safety. Furthermore, evidence points to stakeholders being dissatisfied with the discharge process and having difficulty connecting with the experiences of patients with dementia (a cornerstone of much governmental and health service policy regarding care of persons with dementia)
In order to understand the experiences of people with dementia and other stakeholders this research will carried out using a Lifeworld* methodology. This will involve closely observing patients with dementia in the hospital environment with the aim of getting close to their experiences and producing a narrative of their hospital stay with a specific emphasis on activities with relevance to the discharge process. These narratives will be used to guide subsequent interviews with stakeholders regarding their experiences of the discharge process for patients with dementia.
This research aims to add to our understanding of patient experience and the decision-making processes of stakeholders and as thus will have value to future policy related to persons with dementia and contribute to the attainment of quality care for this vulnerable group of people.
*"Lifeworld" refers to the world we experience on an everyday basis, before it is subjected to scientific scrutiny or reflection.
REC name
Scotland A: Adults with Incapacity only
REC reference
15/SS/0213
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion