RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

I4F: Isla for Frailty Feasibility Study

The Isla for Frailty study explores how helpful video recordings can be for older patients living with frailty. Frailty means that daily tasks like eating or moving can be difficult and change often. When these patients are unwell, they can quickly lose their independence. Currently, it's hard for healthcare professionals to get a full picture of a patient's changing needs, leading to care that isn't always well-joined up. This study wants to find out if using short videos of patients' day-to-day abilities could improve how doctors, nurses, and therapists communicate with each other. They will also find out how patients, their family carers, and staff feel about using these videos to make care better when patients move between different hospital settings.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Imperial College London

Enrolment target

Start

14 Feb 2024

Estimated completion

30 Sep 2024

Frailty

What is this study about?

This study, called 'Isla for Frailty', is looking into a new way to help older patients who live with frailty. Frailty means that people might find everyday tasks challenging, and their ability to do things like walk, eat, or even communicate can change from day to day. When someone living with frailty becomes poorly, they can lose their independence very quickly, and it's really important that everyone involved in their care understands their needs.

Currently, sharing information between different healthcare staff, like doctors, nurses, and therapists, can be difficult. They often rely on written notes or quick chats, which might not give a full picture of how a patient is truly managing. This can unfortunately lead to care that isn't as smooth or organised as it could be, and sometimes patients might face avoidable problems because of it.

Smartphones and cameras are a big part of our lives now, and people often use them to share their stories. This study asks whether short, secure video recordings of patients might help. These videos could show how a patient is moving, eating, or making choices, giving staff a much clearer idea of their real-time needs. The study wants to find out if patients, their family carers, and healthcare staff are comfortable with this idea, and if these videos could actually make communication better and improve the care that patients receive as they move between different parts of the hospital.

Key takeaways

The study explores using videos to help staff understand patients' daily needs.
It focuses on older patients with frailty in a specific hospital ward.
Patients, carers, and staff will share their thoughts on using videos.
The goal is to improve communication and quality of care.
Participation is voluntary and won't affect your regular medical care.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for a few different groups of people to take part. For patients, you might be able to join if you are 65 or older and have been admitted to a specific older people's ward at St Mary's Hospital. The medical team would need to think you have frailty, and you would need to be able to agree to take part. If you can't agree yourself, a close family member or friend (called a personal consultee) could help decide if it's what you would want.

Family carers are also invited to take part. You would need to be 18 or older and provide unpaid help to the patient with their daily tasks. You should also be willing to be interviewed about your experiences. It's important to note that if the patient you care for decides not to join the study, you wouldn't be able to either.

Finally, healthcare staff who regularly work on the older people's ward at St Mary's Hospital, like doctors, nurses, and therapists, might be asked to participate. This is to understand their views on using videos in care. Temporary staff or those on long-term leave wouldn't be included.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 65 years old or older?
Are you currently an inpatient on an older people's ward at St Mary's Hospital?
Does your medical team think you might have frailty?
Are you able to agree to take part, or do you have a family member or friend who can advise on your behalf?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part as a patient, doctors, nurses, and therapists on your ward will securely record short videos of you as part of your usual care, for about three months. These videos will show how you are managing daily tasks and what support you might need. You will continue to receive your standard medical care.

As part of the study, you, your family carer (if they are also participating), and the healthcare staff will be asked to share your thoughts and feelings about the video recording. This will happen through interviews or by filling out questionnaires. The aim is to understand your experiences and how you think the videos impact care. There are no extra visits or medications involved, and the total duration of your active involvement as a patient in the study with video recording would be for about three months.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer several potential benefits, such as potentially improving how your healthcare team understands and communicates your daily needs, leading to more connected care. While there are no known direct risks to your health, some people might feel a bit uncomfortable with being video recorded. All recordings will be handled securely and confidentially. Remember, taking part is completely voluntary, and you have the right to change your mind and withdraw from the study at any time without it affecting your care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

St Mary's Hospital
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is frailty?

Frailty means your body is less able to cope with illness or everyday stresses. It can affect your energy, strength, and how easily you can do daily tasks.

Who will see the videos?

Only the healthcare team directly involved in your care and the study staff will be able to see the secure videos.

Will these videos replace my usual care?

No, the videos are meant to support and improve your usual care, not replace it. You'll still receive all the standard care from your medical team.

What if I don’t want to be video recorded?

Taking part is completely your choice. If you don't want to be video recorded, or if you change your mind later, you can choose not to participate or withdraw from the study without any impact on your medical care.

Will my family be involved?

If you have a family carer who helps you, they might also be invited to share their thoughts on the video recordings and your care.

How to find out more

Phoebe Averill, PhD

phoebe.averill@nhs.net 020 7594 9038 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.