Dr Reena Devi is an Associate Professor in Applied Health and Care Research at the University of Leeds. She is also a Scientific Linking Pin researcher in the Nurturing Innovation in Care Home Excellence in Leeds (NICHE-Leeds) partnership, a partnership between care organisations and University of Leeds (with Leeds Beckett University). NICHE-Leeds post on X and Blue Sky.
Doing research that matters to care home residents, relatives, and staff means we need to ask them what matters
Getting the right information to the care home community means understanding the uncertainties and questions of those living in, visiting, and working in care homes. If we don't understand the needs of the knowledge users though, how can we produce new knowledge that they value?
Nurturing Innovation in Care Home Excellence in Leeds (NICHE-Leeds) is an academic and care sector partnership providing evidence-based answers to questions asked by people living in care homes, their relatives, and care home staff. In collaboration with the National Institute for Health and Care Research, Applied Research Collaboration - Yorkshire and Humber (NIHR ARC YH), we undertook a research priority setting study (the SEARCH-U study) to identify the questions that residents, their relatives, and staff ask and to find out which were the most important to them.
Identifying the uncertainties, questions and priorities
SEARCH-U had 3 phases. We started by interviewing care home residents (n=14), relatives (n=10), and staff (n=44), gathering their questions and uncertainties about care delivery, life, and work in care homes. In our second phase we analysed the data and developed a prioritisation survey. In the final phase, care home residents (n=95), relatives (85), and staff (n=158) completed the survey. Care homes in Scotland, and in northern and southern England contributed to the study.
Questions asked and the priorities
Of the 319 questions asked, 274 were research-based questions and 45 were fact-based questions. Six broad themes and 38 sub-themes characterised the questions. There were differences between people based on their role in care. Doing meaningful activities was important for residents, relatives, and staff. Staff recruitment and retention and enjoying living with others were important for residents and relatives, and for relatives and staff, having support with emotions, and dignity and respect were prioritised. Some sub-themes were priorities for just one group. Residents prioritised access to health and care services, having choice, and falling. Relatives prioritised healthcare sector understanding of care homes. Staff prioritised understanding and managing distress, understanding care homes, and staff mix and supporting residents’ needs. The full research findings are published in Age and Ageing; click here to read a detailed account of the study, and a full list of the questions and priorities.
Why priorities matter
SEARCH-U's findings represent some of the real-world information needs of those receiving and delivering care in care homes. In the UK, generating and using evidence with and for adult social care is a policy priority, and it is important to focus efforts on the most pressing topics and questions. Where relevant evidence already exists, it can be made accessible and engaging for care home communities. Where there are gaps in knowledge, researchers and practice communities can together develop research projects to provide the evidence needed to advance care.
Get involved
We carry out research with and for care homes and home care. People receiving care, their family and friends, and social care staff are at the centre of our research – if you’re interested in getting involved or would like to know more, you can get in touch via email at niche_leeds@leeds.ac.uk. If you’re a researcher, we would love to hear how our study may have helped you develop your research ideas and projects.
