Evaluation of Lancashire and Cumbria Innovation Alliance Testbed
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of Lancashire and Cumbria Innovation Alliance (LCIA) Testbed Programme.
IRAS ID
208395
Contact name
Christine Milligan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancaster University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
This project is an evaluation of Lancashire and Cumbria Innovation Alliance (LCIA) Test Bed initiative, in partnership with the NHS and Philips. The evaluation has two aims: first, to assess the extent to which supported self-care telehealth technology can improve patient outcomes (including reduced hospital admissions) and experience (including quality of life) for frail older people living with long-term conditions in Lancashire and Cumbria. The second aim is to assess the cost effectiveness and scalability of the intervention. The potential reduction in GP and home healthcare visits, medications, and impact on working practices will also be assessed. The evaluation will be underpinned by a Logic Model framework and adopt a longitudinal control group design. Four cohorts of frail older people will be recruited from the two test-bed sites (based on a the number of long-term conditions and risk and including one cohort of older people with a diagnosis of mild dementia - MMSE score between 20-24) and evaluated against a matched mass control group (3:1 per intervention participant) for primary outcomes. Each participant will be evaluated over a six month period. Baseline data will be collected using validated tools to assess: quality of life, health and wellbeing, admissions data, patient activation and health economic measures. The tools will be reapplied mid-way through the intervention and at the end point. We will gather observational interview data from a purposive sample from each of the four cohorts (N=10-15 per cohort) to facilitate a better understanding of the how participants engage with the technology, any improvements/barriers to the self-management of care, self-perceptions of increase in independence, service satisfaction and overall quality of life. Taking an action research approach, the evaluation team will regularly meet with key stakeholders to reflect on shared learning, agreed action and the impact of change.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0556
Date of REC Opinion
8 Aug 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion