Use and Opinions of Care Home Medicines Audit Tools
This study aims to make sure medicines are managed as safely and effectively as possible in care homes across the UK. Many older and frailer people live in care homes, so it's vital that staff are good at giving out medicines. We're talking to a variety of people, including care home residents, care home staff, visiting healthcare professionals, and government regulators. We want to understand their experiences and opinions about how medicines are currently handled, what works well, and what could be improved. We will also look at the checklists and forms care homes use to keep track of medicines. All this information will help us find better ways to manage medicines, keeping residents safe and healthy.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Taking medicines is one of the most common things people do to stay healthy, especially as they get older. For people living in care homes, who are often older and may have several health conditions, making sure their medicines are given correctly is incredibly important. If medicines are given at the wrong time, or the wrong amount is given, it can cause problems.
This study wants to get a full picture of how medicines are managed in care homes. We believe it's really important to hear from everyone involved – not just the medical staff. We want to understand the challenges and successes experienced by the residents themselves, the care home staff, the visiting doctors and nurses, and even the people who oversee and regulate care homes. By listening to all these different viewpoints, we can identify what makes medicine management easy and effective, and what gets in the way.
We'll be collecting this information by talking to people in interviews and small group discussions. We'll also ask care homes and their supporting pharmacies to share the forms and checklists they use to keep track of medicines. All the information we gather will help us understand the current situation and suggest ways to make medicine management even safer and better for everyone in care homes.
Key takeaways
- This study aims to improve medicine safety in care homes.
- It gathers opinions from residents, staff, and healthcare professionals.
- Participation involves interviews or group discussions.
- Your privacy is protected, and participation is voluntary.
- The findings will help make medicine management better for everyone.
Who may be eligible?
To take part in this study, you would need to be involved in care homes within specific areas selected for the study. This includes care homes themselves that are registered to look after people, including those with dementia, mental health conditions, or physical disabilities, and those caring for adults of all ages.
For residents to join, they must be able to understand and speak English well enough to give their consent and take part in a conversation, and they must feel well enough to participate without distress.
Care home staff, registered managers, visiting health and social care professionals (like pharmacists or nurses), and people from commissioning or regulatory bodies who work with care homes in the study areas can also take part, as long as they can speak and understand English well enough.
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.
- Do you live in or work at a care home in one of the study areas?
- Are you a care home resident who feels well enough to talk about your experiences?
- Can you understand and speak English well enough to take part in a conversation?
- Are you a care home manager, staff member, or a health professional who supports care homes?
- Are you involved in overseeing or regulating care homes in the study area?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part in this study, you might be asked to join an interview or a small group discussion, called a focus group. These discussions will be about your experiences and opinions on how medicines are managed in care homes. The interviews or discussions would take place at a convenient location, possibly the care home itself. Care homes would also be asked to share copies of any forms or checklists they use to keep track of medicines. There are no medicines to take, no medical tests, and no long-term follow-up required. The time commitment would be for the interview or focus group itself, which usually lasts 1-2 hours.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- University of Central LancashireVerified postcodePreston, United Kingdom
Common questions
What will happen to the information I provide?
Everything you share will be kept private and anonymous. We will combine everyone's views to get an overall picture, so no individual will be identified.
Do I have to take part?
No, taking part is completely voluntary. It's your choice, and if you say no, it won't affect your care or how you are treated in any way.
How long will the interview or discussion last?
Interviews or group discussions usually last between one and two hours, depending on the conversation.
What if I don't want to answer a question?
You don't have to answer any question you're not comfortable with. Just let the researcher know, and you can move on or take a break.
Who is running this study?
This study is being carried out by researchers to understand and improve medicine management in care homes.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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