Shared decision making for people living with dementia in care homes

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Shared decision making for people living with dementia and language or communication difficulties in care homes

  • IRAS ID

    226515

  • Contact name

    Frances Bunn

  • Contact email

    f.bunn@herts.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Hertfordshire

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 1 months, 29 days

  • Research summary

    The aim of this study is to explore how people living with dementia in care homes can be involved in decision making about their day to day care.

    This project consists of four phases: 1) Systematic review of the literature on shared decision making for people living with cognitive impairment in care homes; 2) Observation of current practice and baseline measures; 3) An Appreciative inquiry (AI)study looking for good practice and positive experiences with people living with dementia and language or communication difficulties within the care home and 4) Evaluation of the AI process and any changes or developments made.

    This application describes phases 2, 3 and 4(stage 1 did not require ethical approval).

    Phase 2 – Non-participant observations
    To understand how care home staff interact with residents a period of non-participant observation will inform how and when decisions about day-to-day care occur. It will also enable staff and residents to become familiar and comfortable with the researcher being present.

    Phase 3 - Appreciative inquiry
    The 4D model of appreciative inquiry comprises four phases; discovery, dream, design and destiny. In the discovery phase focus groups and interviews take the form of storytelling or shared experience, to collect participants’ perspectives on what currently works well and what good shared decision making practice looks and feels like. The dream, design and destiny phases of the cycle involve the people involved in decision-making to optimise the decision-making process in their own care home.

    Phase 4 – Evaluation of the AI intervention
    The AI process will be evaluated and developed throughout, however to check sustainability of any interventions or changes to practice, a follow up evaluation will explore changes in shared decision-making and quality of life scores of people living with dementia and language or communication difficulties.

  • REC name

    North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    17/NW/0405

  • Date of REC Opinion

    6 Sep 2017

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion