Older patients’ experiences of Emergency Multidisciplinary Unit
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An ethnographic study of frail, older patients’ health care journeys through, and experiences of, an Emergency Multidisciplinary Unit
IRAS ID
182259
Contact name
Daniel Lasserson
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 30 days
Research summary
Hospital admissions for frail, older people can be distressing and these patients may not receive the care they need. Emergency Multidisciplinary Units (EMUs) deliver care closer to patients’ homes and are an alternative to hospital admission. The study aims to explore the experiences of older people visiting EMUs, to find out about their journeys through care and how the service they receive there fits with their needs.
A research method called ethnography will be used, where the researcher will closely follow and observe what happens to patients who attend an EMU and agree to take part. In the EMU, the researcher will interview the patients’ carers and the health care professionals involved in their care. After they have been discharged, patients and their carers, wherever possible, will be interviewed at home. This study will enable us to gain a better understanding of older patients’ experiences of the EMU and how their care can be improved.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0497
Date of REC Opinion
20 Oct 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion