HAAFE study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Attitudes, perceptions and behaviours associated with Hospital Admission Avoidance in the Frail and Elderly (HAAFE study)
IRAS ID
210393
Contact name
Scott Wilkes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sunderland
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
There is a growing need to develop ways to improve management of the over 65 age group and relieve pressure within the health care system. Identification of patients as ‘high risk’ of admission to hospital due to frailty with enhanced care planning within primary care is the current consensus with the aim to improve patient care and reduce unplanned hospital admission. The Northumberland High Risk Patient Programme (NHRPP) was developed to incorporate the Frail Elderly Pathway and the Integrated Care COPD programmes, and was introduced as a combined health and social care platform. The NHRPP includes people with long term conditions and/or those at high risk of hospital admission or readmission, and aims to deliver continuity, reduced duplication and a patient-centred care (NHS, 2013). The programme has been running for three years and an evaluation of the NHRPP by Duncan et al., (2016) showed that patients felt that they had excellent same day service when contacting their GP surgery, and also felt reassured after receiving follow up calls after hospital discharge, however, patient knowledge of the NHRPP was lacking, and generally so was any care planning. Why certain high risk patients are able to stay at home and avoid hospital admission or readmission is currently unknown, and it may be that there are combinations of factors that have not yet been investigated that enable this cohort of patient to stay healthy and keep away from hospital.
Using an in-depth interview study with patients (N=14-18) registered on the NHRPP and their carer’s, management and behavioural barriers and enablers to staying at home will be characterised. Patients will be recruited from GP practices registered on the NHRPP, and will take part in a one off interview with the researcher. The study will take 7 months to complete.REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0529
Date of REC Opinion
5 Aug 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion