Person Centered Care for Older People: Working together to achieve quality outcomes

Chief Investigator: Prof Sian Maslin-Prothero
Researchers: Sue Ashby & Amelia Rout.

This project funded by the Burdett Trust for Nursing  specifically researches the area of Intermediate Care; focusing on  multi-agency and interprofessional working across primary and secondary care including older people (who are the main beneficiaries of these services, although not exclusive). For the purpose of this study intermediate care is defined as 'The layer of care that sits between primary care and specialist services to help prevent unnecessary hospital admission, support early discharge and reduce or delay the need for long-term residential care. (National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People Department of Health (DoH) 2001a).

Rationale

To acknowledge and disseminate successful ways of interprofessional working in and around intermediate care.

Aim

This project aims to evaluate and develop interprofessional working among health and social care staff, particularly in relation to intermediate care of older people.

Background

The Project has been funded by the Burdett Trust for Nursing for an eighteen month period, with members of the project team based across Keele University, the Beth Johnson Foundation, including clients and carers, Age Concern North Staffordshire, Abi Masterson Consulting Ltd and the Department of Health.

Research Strategy

This project will use mixed methodology including:
A systematic literature review to investigate intermediate care.
A case study approach to scope intermediate care across the UK.
A pre intervention questionnaire study to evaluate team working in each Intermediate Care area.
A short educational course aimed to enhance team working across the different disciplines and organisations caring for older people receiving intermediate care, which will be evaluated with post intervention questionnaire.
Individual interviews and focus groups with staff and clients/carers which will allow participants to express their opinions on both team working and the intervention.

Current status:

November 2007 - Data analysis in progress.

Linked publications:

Ashby, S. (2006) Observation of older peoples services in the state of Victoria, Australia. Report to Birmingham Hospital Saturday Fund Overseas Travel Award for Nurses.
Ashby, S. M., Maslin-Prothero, S. E., Rout, A. C.  (2007) Involving Service Users and their Carers as Equal Partners in a Project Using Electronic Communication. Annals. New York Academy Science. Online access: New York Academy of Sciences. doi 10.1196/annals.1396.018
For further information please contact:
Sue Ashby