Carers’ experiences of supporting a person with heart failure
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring carers’ experiences of supporting a person with palliative heart failure: a mixed methods study.
IRAS ID
142658
Contact name
Katharine Whittingham
Contact email
Research summary
The study will examine carer’s experiences of supporting a person with palliative heart failure. The study will be conducted in two phases.Phase one will use a quantitative method during which a validated questionnaire will be used to gain quantitative data about the impact of being a carer on quality of life. Phase two will be qualitative and will explore themes using semi structured interviews with carers to explore their own experiences. The themes for the interviews will emerge and develop from the results of the questionnaire and wider literature. This qualitative data is intended to add depth to the quantitative findings; it will provide an understanding of individual carer’s experiences and the dimensions of their lives associated with how they perceive their experience of caring.The qualitative phase will additionally explore carers’perceptions of a Carer Support Plan initiative in increasing carer positivity.
The Carer Support Plan will proactively identify carers’ preferred options of support and in doing so attempts to recognise their priorities in an opportunistic manner. In this context it acknowledges the recommendations of the End of Life Care Strategy (2008) which identifies the involvement of carers in developing packages of support that meet their needs and in doing so values their contribution.Department of Health (2008) End of Life care Strategy – promoting high quality care for all adults at end of life. Available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/Pu blicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_086277 [accessed on 1/3/13].
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/EM/0431
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jan 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion