Delivering Effective Care for Elderly People with Dementia in England - Case Study Example

Student ID: 14030754

Introduction

UK’s population has changed significantly in terms of age and health. As a result the demand for care especially among elderly persons with dementia is on the upward trend and this comes with enormous ramifications on the economy (Alzheimer’s disease International, 2010). The nature of health and social care is therefore changing with the population changes not only in the UK but across the entire world. A growing area of concern in healthcare research is whether the health and social care workforce has the necessary skills to tackle the new challenges presented by changes in population demography as go into the future. Quality is a very important measure of service in healthcare and as such the quality of care we give to our senior citizens in their residential settings fundamentally affects the quality of life they lead (Kuhn, 2003).

A myriad of factors affect the quality of life led by senior citizens in their residences. These factors can be both internal and external to their residences. Factors that go beyond the control of individual care givers and homes the regulatory environment (Wunderlich et al., 1996; Grabowski & Hirt, 2003). There exists a consensus in literature on the fact that workforce attitudes and behaviours when handling clients are important factors mediating between the features of care in the residential environment and health outcomes in terms of the wellbeing of the residents, service satisfaction and ultimately quality of life (Wright, 1998). Previous studies seeking to examine variations in care quality have widely explored how factors such as quantity and quality of staff training affects care (Cherry, 1991; Kruzich et al., 1992; Johnson et al., 1996; Castle, 2001; Feuerberg, 2001; White & Hurd, 2003). The conclusion in most of the studies is that care staff often receive minimal training whereas they care for persons with very complex healthcare needs (Proctor et al., 1999).

Study Background

The National Health Service (NHS) is among the largest healthcare organizations globally. It has put in place complex regulatory standards with the goal of assuring high quality care for patients. However, an area of challenge for many successive governments has revolved around developing structures to regulate professionals in the healthcare sector as well as healthcare organizations so as to guarantee patients a quality care that is effective and safe. (Quality in Primary Care, 2014).

In the year 2009, the UK Department of Health published a National Dementia Strategy with the sole aim of improving quality of care. The Dementia educational strategy has both the aspects of education (knowledge) and training (skills). The workforce is divided into three broad categories based on their educational and training needs; those specially working dementia patients and their families, those working with patients having other health conditions but some of whom coincidentally have dementia and those working with persons having other conditions but in settings where majority of the patients have comorbid dementia. In order to improve the skills of our personnel handling dementia patients, action is required throughout the educational and training system for both professionals and non-professional personnel giving care to dementia patients. A combination of education (acquisition of knowledge) and training (acquisition of skills) will therefore be crucial in chatting dementia care for both patients and their families.

Currently, strategies and policies for dementia place a lot of emphasis on giving quality care to the patients (Donaldson 2001, Institute of Medicine 2001, and Department of Health 2009). It is thus expected that by focusing on quality care, efficiency will be promoted and innovation encouraged when it comes to strategies for preventing and curing dementia (NHS 2005, Scottish Government 2010a). The Identification and conceptualization of quality in the policy framework, at the level of leadership and in the various clinical aspects has become part and parcel of measuring the quality of care given to patients (Bowers & Kiefe 2002). Whereas UK health policy was formulated in the context of just four nations, it actually reflects the same strategic focus and actions as well as desirable outcomes like the rest of the world. The Institute of Medicine’s 2001 six aspects of quality care has become a centre of focus when it comes to quality. Person-centred care, patient safety, efficiency of service, equity and timely service are some of the aspects informing quality of care (Scottish Government 2010a).

Rationale

The focus for many modern researchers is centred on care quality. I personally connect with this focus as a Team Leader in residential care settings and more particularly as an individual who wards in the framework of organizational development within the NHS partnership in England. A lot of my work centres on the psychology of identity in the workplace, role transition for personnel in healthcare profession and workplace diversity. My choice of this area of research is therefore informed by a strong interest in understanding the role and impact of appropriately educating and training personnel handling dementia patients in improving care quality. My background as a person working in the healthcare continuum and ardent believer of quality motivates me to want to gain more knowledge in this area of research for health.

Aim and Objectives of the study

Aim:

• To examine the impact of proper education and training on dementia workforce in terms of improving efficiency and care quality for the elderly.

Objectives

• To demonstrate how quality and efficiency of care for the senior citizens can be improved.
• To demonstrate that indeed appropriate education and training for dementia workforce can result in a better quality of care
• To examine how the NHS can assure appropriateness of skills and knowledge for social care workers.

Literature research strategy

In carrying out my search for available literature on the research topic, I will make use of a wide range of sources for information. Firstly, I will heavily rely on the university library and databases as well as acceptable online resources such as the Google Scholar database. My research for literature will narrowed down to resources with the framework of NHS and UK so as to effectively address the topic. Searching with broader key works like nursing could give many resources which do not even directly address my study goals. My search terms therefore will include; management of care delivery within the UK, assuring quality, developing professional practice for dementia care, motivating, empowering and developing the workforce in preparation for the future. The context will also be limited to higher education in the UK so as to eliminate the possibility of retrieving sources with irrelevant information to the study.

Ethics and anti-oppressive Practice consideration

The ethical code requires the professionals make their judgements consideration the acceptable moral standards and value systems of the wider society apart from those of the individuals. It is therefore important while doing the right thing as a professional to reflect on the behaviors acceptable in the society. Fairness and equality for instance must be upheld as well as truthfulness while dispensing duties. My research will at all times adhere ethical standards.

Respect for Persons and Autonomy; it is every individual’s right to make personal choices, to hold views on issues. Our personal values and belief systems also differ with our cultural differences. Everyone should however, be accorded the autonomy personally make choices regarding the type of healthcare interventions used on them. This protects patients from healthcare interventional choices that may not be in line with their personal beliefs and thus allowing they take control of the healthcare. In my research I will be alive to the fact that patience autonomy is a key aspect of modern care delivery and therefore should be enhanced as much as possible.

Justice: Treat others equitably, distribute benefits/burdens fairly

It is important for professionals to remain objective while delivery care and treatment to patients in their residences. In the distribution of treatment, the policies and strategies used must benefit every person in the society and not just some. Every member of the workforce, community residents as well as any visitors should be treated with fairness at all times. This can tremendously help address the issues of equity and ensure every citizens of the UK has access to required services.

Non-maleficence (d no harm): all professionals in the healthcare continuum are obligated never to knowingly cause harm. It is an important maxim for physicians to ensure they do no inflict harm whether emotionally, physically or even financially. Full adherence to this maxim guarantees patient safety and promotes efficiency while discharging duty by healthcare providers.

Beneficence: all actions taken should be beneficial to others: while carrying out our work as professionals in the healthcare sector we bust not just benefit but also contribute to the welfare of every person. In some instances the patients we deal with may not be legally competent enough arrive at informed decisions. It is expected that medical staff act just in the best possible interests of these patients. Medical staff therefore must all times consider the dogma of beneficence and non-maleficence while in the line of service of delivery.

Project outline

• Title page –

The first part is about what I want to explore in my Research Project, including the specific target population, location, and the context of the research question.

• Content page
• Chapter 1:
• Introduction-This part is about the key areas that will be addressed in this proposal.
• Background/Rationale-This part of this proposal about important historical and contextual research which gives information why and how the research problem exists as well as why it is important to this field
• Aim/Objectives-This part identify what this research want to achieve and how with 3 objectives
• Legislation and Policies link to my topic-This part is about the relevant and current policies of the research project
• Literature strategy- This part outlines how the research will be conducted; research engines, data bases, keywords, exclusions and inclusions.
• Ethical and Anti-Oppressive practice
• Chapter 2:
• Literature review/Main body of my project
• General context
• Breakdown of identified objectives
• Chapter 3:
• Application to theory to practice
• Chapter 4:
• Conclusion
• Recommendation
• Reflection/ Critical analysis and evaluation of the project
• References/Bibliography

Project timetable

The entire study will last for 26 weeks

Activity

Deadline

1.

Writing the Title, Aims, Objectives

27th October 2016

2.

Book appointment with supervisor

1st November 2016

3.

Correcting the Proposal by the given feedback

15th November 2016

4

Prepare the Research Proposal

7th December 2016

5.

Book appointment with supervisor

20th of January 2017

6.

Correcting the Project

10th February 2017

7.

Complete the Literature review

15th February 2017

8.

Finish the Analysis

6th March 2017

9.

Prepare the conclusion of the result

3rd April 2017

10.

Book appointment with supervisor

16st April 2017

12.

Correcting the Project

1st May 2017

13.

Finish the whole Project

9th May 2017