Pain management in people with dementia in care homes: consultation v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Management of pain in people with dementia living in care homes: Programme and intervention development (consultation phase)
IRAS ID
157939
Contact name
Anne Corbett
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Research summary
There are 800,000 people with dementia in the UK, and this is expected to rise to over 1 million by 2025. The treatment and care of people with dementia costs the UK £23 billion each year and places significant burden on healthcare services. Treatment of dementia is challenging for doctors, particularly in the later stage when people lose the ability to communicate. A common example of this is when people are in pain. Around 80% of people with dementia in care homes experience regular pain. Besides causing great discomfort and distress, untreated pain results in difficulties with movement and is a major cause of behavioural symptoms such as agitation. Although pathways exist for assessment and treatment of pain in other individuals, there is currently no guidance for use with people with dementia. It is essential to determine the best way to assess and treat pain in this important patient group, and develop an easy-to-use pathway to guide health and care professionals.
This qualitative study is the first phase of an NIHR Programme Development Grant focusing on the management of pain in people with dementia living in care homes. The work encompasses a four-month consultation period that will inform the overall direction and design of the study. This important preparatory work involves coordinating focus groups with three key stakeholders: care home staff, General Practitioners and family / informal carers of people with dementia. Discussions will focus on identifying the elements and challenges in assessing and managing pain, and outcomes will be analysed through qualitative methodology. The findings will inform the development of a decision-making tool for pain management to be evaluated in the overall study.REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SC/1287
Date of REC Opinion
7 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion