DPACT2 Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Realist informed mixed methods evaluation of the Dementia-Personalised Aligned Care Team intervention (D-PACT): a complex intervention for individuals with dementia and carers
IRAS ID
302690
Contact name
Tomasina Oh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Dementia is a set of symptoms that includes short-term memory loss, problem-solving difficulties and communication problems. Such symptoms worsen over time. Currently, over 850,000 people in the UK live with dementia. The burden for people diagnosed with dementia and their carers is substantial.
Individuals with dementia (IwD) and their carers often find accessing support services stressful and challenging. IwD and carers have identified that access to a single person, to help with the coordination of care throughout the dementia journey, is strongly desired.
We have developed a support system for IwD and carers that we wish to evaluate in this study. Support is provided by a Dementia Support Worker (DSW) placed in the GP practices taking part in this study. The DSW meets with participants on an ongoing basis to identify issues that are personally important to them. The carer is not forgotten; their priorities are taken account of, too. The DSW won’t tell participants what to do. Instead, the DSW will help participants plan things to improve physical and mental well-being. This might include how to access available services, and ‘thinking ahead’ to the future. All participants are offered up to 12 months of this DSW-led intervention, called D-PACT.
Our aim is to understand how D-PACT should be delivered in various settings, including those often overlooked in dementia research, e.g. South Asian communities, impoverished coastal communities and individuals with no carer at home.
Participants will be asked to take part in audio-recorded interviews with a researcher about their experience of D-PACT, and to complete a set of questionnaires when they join and again at 6 and 12 months. Some participants will complete a diary to document their D-PACT experience, and some will be asked for their permission to have some of their sessions with the DSW audio-recorded, for analysis.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SC/0280
Date of REC Opinion
27 Sep 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion