The experience of older people in care homes with taking medication
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the experience of older people in care homes with taking medication
IRAS ID
260398
Contact name
Helen Davies
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Stirling
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Exploring the experience of older people in care homes with taking medication.
Background:
Residents of care homes for older people experience multi-factorial problems when taking oral medication. There are high levels of swallowing problems with risks of choking and aspiration (inhaling medication into the lungs). Practices of modifying tablets, crushing and/or mixing with food, in attempts to administer medication, have been observed in the literature over a 15 year period, and remain widespread internationally. The concurrent problem of inappropriate use of large numbers of medicines results in this population being at increased risks of adverse drug reactions and associated harms. The administration of medication becoming potentially hazardous and burdensome for residents. We do not know how the residents themselves experience the process. Research in this area to date has concentrated on observing the practices of staff, and presents the residents in passive roles.Research Question:
'What is the experience of residents of care homes when oral medication is administered'
Study Design:
An Interpretive Phenomenological approach has been chosen as a methodology which places the experience of the residents firmly at the forefront of the study. Between 6-10 residents of independent care homes in Highland Scotland will be purposively recruited. Participants will be selected who require assistance from staff to enable them to take their medication.
Data Collection Methods:
Non-participant observation of medication administration will be used to provide context for semi-structured interviews. The interview duration is expected to be less than half an hour. A second observation and interview will take place between 3-5 weeks later.
Transcripts and field notes will be analysed and interpreted in accordance with the philosophy of phenomenology, with a commitment to understanding and representing the participant's point of view. NVIVO software will be used to assist data coding and organisation.
REC name
Social Care REC
REC reference
19/IEC08/0055
Date of REC Opinion
16 Dec 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion