The THErapeutic Optimisation (THEO) Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
THEO: A multi-centre quasi-experimental (before and after) study with embedded convergent mixed methods process evaluation to ascertain the effectiveness and impact of the implementation of a nurse-led ‘Therapeutic Optimisation’ (THEO) ward-level intervention in two older persons wards across two NHS Trusts within the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System.
IRAS ID
334473
Contact name
Sarahjane Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Staffordshire
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 31 days
Research summary
As we get older, we are more likely to need to go to the hospital for care. The longer an older person stays in hospital, the more chance they have of falling and/or getting an infection. Staying in hospital can also make it difficult to do your daily routine and can make health problems get worse. This is because when you stay in hospital for a long period of time, you often spend a lot of time in bed with little to do and this can affect your mental and physical health. Studies also show that patients do better where there are more registered nurses.
It is for this reason that we want to improve the experience people have while they are in hospital and make sure that they are as healthy as they can be and get the support and care they need to live well when they leave the hospital. We want to use something that we are calling the THErapeutic Optimisation (THEO) intervention. This will involve placing two more nurses on two older people wards in the East of England for 12 months. We will also give these nurses and all the other healthcare professionals on the ward training and do something called practice development. This means will work with everyone working on the ward to find ways to make the care better for patients.
To understand if THEO has worked, we will take a look at what happens to patients by using the information that is collected as part of their care. We will also ask patients and staff on the wards to talk to us about their experiences. We will also do things to understand what didn’t work, and what would need to be done differently if THEO were to carry on.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SC/0018
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jan 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion