FundaMentals of Care Models in relation to Continuity of Care: FUME-CoC

Older people are nowadays more likely to receive long-term care where they live. With increasing age, older peoples fundamental care needs are described as increasing in complexity and extent. Among this patient group registered nurses are responsible for older people’s fundamental care needs, ideally in a consistent manner over time. However, there is a scarcity of research focusing on how such fundamental nursing care needs are delivered in relation to continuity of care, a key indicator of high-quality care. This project aims to explore the relationship between fundamental care and continuity of care. More in-depth knowledge about this will are warranted particularly as research suggest that provision of fundamental care needs among older people often are signified by being, fragmented, omitted, rationed, and rushed. Few models of care are developed focusing on both fundamental care and continuity of nursing care.

The thesis consists of four studies following the development and evaluation phases in the Medical Research Councils framework for complex interventions. In short, the studies planned is: 1) a scoping review of research literature, 2) a qualitative research inquiry consisting of observations, interviews, and document analysis, 3) a focus group evaluating and assessing the acceptability of intervention and 4) a quasi-experiment evaluating the intervention. The project has a public, patient, professional involvement (PPPI) group, uses open-access publications, and standardised reporting guidelines in all studies.

Supervisors

PhD-student