Relatives' experiences & perceived needs in the hospital setting.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Relatives' perceptions, experiences and perceived needs in a hospital setting.
IRAS ID
156085
Contact name
Sue Melling
Contact email
Research summary
The proposed qualitative study, using classic grounded theory methodology, aims to discover and develop a theoretical understanding of relatives' perceptions, experiences and perceived needs when a family member is a patient on an adult care, general ward. Interest in the proposed research is derived from personal experience as a nurse, previous research involving relatives in a specialist care area and because little research has been undertaken in England on this topic. Additionally, recent government reports and care quality inspections have highlighted deficiencies in care. With an increasing elderly population and children needing care surviving into adulthood, it seems important to ascertain the experiences of relatives, who may or may not be caregivers, when a family member is admitted to hospital. This may result in a increased awareness of the effects on relatives of hospital admission of a family member and highlight relatives' needs amongst health care practitioners and policy makers which potentially could lead to improvements in care. Respondents would be relatives who are family members, persons that the patient considers to be a significant and constant in their lives and/or where strong emotional bonds exist between them. The intention is to obtain ethical approval to approach the above category of relatives in the hospital setting, address ethical considerations related to creating the study group, obtaining informed consent, data collection and assessment of risks and benefits. Twenty five to thirty respondents would be invited to tell their stories through an in-depth interview lasting up to two hours, field notes of which would be written immediately after. It may be necessary to contact the respondents during data analysis to clarify information obtained and to share findings if they wish this. The proposed study is associated with a part time, doctorate research degree programme due to be completed in 2020.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1709
Date of REC Opinion
20 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion