Carers' involvement in decisions in hip fracture care 1 Carers Research Partnership Carers involvement in decisions regarding patients admitted to hospital

$Page 1: Carers' involvement in decisions in hip fracture care 1 Carers Research Partnership Carers involvement in decisions regarding patients admitted to hospital$
1Carers' involvement in decisions in hip fracture care

Carers ResearchPartnership

Carers involvement in decisions regarding patients admitted to hospital with hip fracture

Carers Research Partnershipwith the Health Services Research Group, The Robert Gordon University and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Grampian University Hospitals Trust



Aim of the studyTo examine the extent to which carers are involved in care decisions regarding patients with hip fracture admitted to an Orthopaedic Trauma Unit



Policy background

• Carers are valued partners in the provision of health and social careNHS Plan (2000) and National Service Framework for Older People (2001)

• At the time of discharge carers must feel fully informed and involved in the planning of future care of the patient, so that assumptions are not made about their ability or willingness to careNational Strategy for Carers (1999)



Literature review • 4 key government policy documents • 5 reports produced by carers

associations• Some studies relating to specific

client groups such as stroke (2) and elderly care (5)

• 9 of the 12 research papers reviewed related to UK



Findings from the literature (1)Few studies gave definitions of ‘informal carer’Low, Payne, Roderick (1999)

Carers do not necessarily recognise themselves as carers early in their caring career.Ward and Cavanagh (1997)



Findings from the literature (2)Carers organisations continue to highlight a gap between policy and practice in relation to involvement.Walker, Dewar (2001)

For most family carers, their experience is one of constant searching for support and information.Chambers, Ryan, Connor (2001)



Study method

• A convenience sample of 30 carers

• Invited to participate in an initial interview one week after admission

• Follow up interview one week after discharge



Early issues in the study• Establishing a clear definition of ‘carer’

• Identifying carers

• Getting carers’ agreement to participate in the study



Progress to early March 2003

• Ongoing literature review• Pilot stage (4 interviews) completed• Eight participants have joined the main study• Ongoing work with ward in order to recruit more participants



Sample carers’ responses (1)How is your life affected by hospitalisation? ‘Its just the extra effort of trying to make it up to visit her, my father is also disabled but its trying to get him up as well as he has to be brought up in a wheelchair.’



Sample carers’ responses (2)What do you know about the care being provided for your relative?

‘I just learn by sitting. Nobody comes and says we’re doing this or that except the physio’s. Everything else I’ve got to ask. Most times quite honestly - I listen.’



Sample carers’ responses (3)What do you know about what’s likely to happen to your relative in the future?

‘I’m hoping she’ll get out to Peterhead and she’ll get on her feet before she’s discharged home. No-one’s said - I’m just hoping.’



Timetable for the study

• Complete interviews - May

2003

• Transcribe interviews and analyse

data - July

2003

• Draft paper for publication - Sept

2003

• Disseminate results - Oct

2003



For further information about this study, please contact:

Margaret MacleodTel: 01224 263041E-mail: [email protected]

Documents

Carers' involvement in decisions in hip fracture care 1 Carers Research Partnership Carers involvement in decisions regarding patients admitted to hospital