The influence of nationality and cultural perspectives of nurses and h
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The influence of nationality and cultural perspectives of nurses and health care assistants on the delivery of person-centred dementia care in acute hospital setting.
IRAS ID
362947
Contact name
Lilian C Ngwu
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 27 days
Research summary
Dementia is one of the biggest health challenges we face today. According to the World Health Organisation WHO, 2021), dementia is caused by a variety of diseases and injuries that affect the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease or stroke. These diseases impair memory and other cognitive functions, as well as the patient’s ability to carry out daily tasks. However, it is estimated that people with dementia occupy approximately one-quarter of hospital beds (Brooker et al, 2014; Feast et al, 2020). This study examines how the nationality and cultural perspectives of nurses and healthcare assistants influence their ability to deliver person-centred care to patients with dementia in an acute hospital setting. Person-centred care is fundamental to high-quality dementia care, prioritising individual preferences, dignity, and comprehensive well-being. However, the delivery of person-centred care for patients with dementia in an acute hospital setting presents significant challenges within the health sector, particularly in environments where nurses and HCAs serve as primary carers for this group of patients. To our knowledge, there is a paucity of literature regarding nurses' and HCAs' perceptions of in acute care settings. Most research has been conducted in nursing homes with other healthcare professionals and their caregivers, where this patient demographic generally spends their final days.
The study seeks to answer the following questions
•How do nurses and health care assistants from different national and cultural backgrounds differ in their perception of person-centred dementia care within an acute hospital setting?• Do dementia training and experience of nurses and healthcare assistants contribute to the delivery of person-centred care?
Considering the type of research, the researcher intends to deploy(mixed method) both quantitative and qualitative methods in this project using a Likert scale questionnaire and dementia care mapping observational tool. For the qualitative, the researcher will conduct a semi-structured interview. The study results will guide culturally competent care training and enhance the incorporation of patient-centred care principles throughout diverse health care teams.
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/EE/0149
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jun 2026
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion