Understanding the assessment process on a ward for older people, v2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the assessment process on an inpatient ward for older people.
IRAS ID
164765
Contact name
Hanneke Wiltjer
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Aim: This study aims to explore what assessment is like for healthcare professionals and patients on a ward for older people, within the current context of healthcare.
Background: Assessment of older people is complicated by the effects of aging, co-morbidity and increasing frailty. It is vital that this group of patients have an adequate assessment as this underpins their subsequent pathway through the healthcare system. In practice a range of assessments are used to direct multidisciplinary care. International guidelines suggest the use of multidimensional standardised assessments and the evidence suggests there may be benefits for patient outcomes. In order to understand assessment within the current context of healthcare we need to understand its process, including the challenges, barriers and facilitators.
Methods: This study will therefore focus on one ward for older people to obtain an in-depth understanding of the range of activities and challenges that patients and healthcare professionals experience in the process of assessment. Observation of what takes place on the ward and interviews with professionals and patients will be used to develop a framework to explain current assessment practice and provide direction for developments in care for the future.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/WM/1229
Date of REC Opinion
9 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion