Solving workforce problems in dementia (DEMM-COMM)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Stakeholder conceptualisation of workforce constraints in dementia prevention, diagnosis and care to inform health economic modelling of dementia intervention (DEMM-COMM)
IRAS ID
343806
Contact name
Joseph Kwon
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford / Research Governance, Ethics & Assurance
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 25 days
Research summary
Background: Preventing dementia, diagnosing it earlier, caring for people living with it – these are equally important goals. However, there are significant challenges to achieving them, especially due to the shortage of workers. A ‘health economic model’ can help us assess different ways of investing in the dementia workforce to get good value for money and reduce unfair health inequalities related to dementia. To create this model, we need to gather ideas from stakeholders involved in dementia interventions about key workforce-related challenges and potential solutions.
Aim and objectives: We aim to explore the views of dementia intervention stakeholders in England to build a health economic model that supports workforce investment decisions. The objectives are to understand: (a) key workforce-related challenges for dementia prevention, diagnosis, and care in the community (outside of hospitals/care homes); (b) potential solutions for the workforce-related challenges; and (c) how to evaluate the solutions from the health economic perspective.
Methods: Stakeholders will include: (1) commissioners, (2) health and social care professionals, (3) voluntary/community sector professionals, (4) family/friend supporters of people living with dementia (PLWD), and (5) PLWD. We will first recruit from contacts of our research team and established dementia support groups, then expand through participant referrals (‘snowballing’) and web searches. PLWD and supporters will not be recruited via NHS clinics. Our approach will include focus groups and interviews conducted online or in-person, and we will gather information until we have covered all relevant topics. Data will be organised by common themes related to our study objectives.
Importance: The health economic model we develop will guide decisions about investing in the dementia workforce. This can lead to better care for individuals living with dementia and help lower costs for health and social care, reduce the burden on informal carers, and address unfair differences in health related to dementia.
REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
25/WA/0303
Date of REC Opinion
18 Nov 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion