The research purpose of this study was clear, as it was intended to report on the challenges for health professionals in caring for people with advanced dementia living in long term care facilities. This study used a qualitative methodology based on action research. “Action research collects information from key stakeholders and provides ongoing feedback to participants, thereby facilitating change that improves practice.” (Chang et al., 2009, p. 42). The essence of the study aimed to expose the challenges for key professional providers of care for people with advanced dementia. “Descriptions of these challenges provide professional carers and policy makers with insights into the unique …show more content…
All of the participants cared for patients with advanced dementia in their profession. They brought a comparative perspective to the success of the study. There were several focus groups compiled that included general practitioners, palliative care speciality staff, palliative care volunteer managers and volunteers, aged or dementia specialist health care professionals, and residential aged care facility staff. All participants were highly qualified with all having more than ten years experience in their field.
The sample was non-random, interviewing 13 participants that were recruited from staff of 10 residential aged care facilities. There was a total of 20 in-depth interviews. Within the sample, five of them large high care facilities, two medium-sized high care (51-74 beds), one small high care (< 50 beds), one medium sized low care (hostel) facility and one small low care facility. The Director of Nurses nominated the the staff for the interviews. “The sampling was purposive, with expertise in palliative dementia care of the selection criterion”. (Chang et al., 2009, p. …show more content…
(Chang et al., 2009, p. 43). They used five focus groups (total n = 24) and 20 follow-up individual interviews (Chang et al., 2009, p. 41). The concepts collected were organized and compared with other ideas that emerged from the data.
Regarding the background of the study, it was noted that there are many behavioural symptoms and comorbiditics associated with advanced dementia. In the last 12 months of life, it also was noted that many symptoms occur that need to be managed by decision makers such as family members. The researchers noted that during this time, the complex care decisions, such as whether to administer antibiotics and whether to place the patient in a facility or hospital are important decisions that must be validated. There are a number of other factors that could effect the study, yet were not addressed by the researchers.
The catagories, themes and findings presented a whole picture and yielded a meaningful picture of the study by attesting to the complexity of caring for people with advanced dementia living in residential aged care facilities, and the challenges of