TY - JOUR
T1 - Healthcare workers’ experience of screening older adults in emergency care settings
T2 - a qualitative descriptive study using the Theoretical Domains Framework
AU - Barry, Louise
AU - Leahy, Aoife
AU - O’Connor, Margaret
AU - Ryan, Damien
AU - Corey, Gillian
AU - Tighe, Sylvia Murphy
AU - Galvin, Rose
AU - Meskell, Pauline
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.
PY - 2024/12
Y1 - 2024/12
N2 - Background: In emergency care settings, screening for disease or risk factors for poor health outcomes among older adults can identify those in need of specialist and early intervention. The aim of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators to implementing older person-centred screening in emergency care settings in the Mid-West of Ireland. Methods: This study employed a qualitative descriptive design underpinned by the theoretical domains framework (TDF). This design informs implementation strategy by establishing a theoretical foundation for focused objectives. One on one semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of healthcare workers (HCWs) to explore their screening experiences with older adults in emergency care settings. Information power guided sample size calculation. In data analysis, verbatim interview transcripts were deductively mapped to TDF constructs forming meta-themes that revealed specific barriers and facilitators to person-centred screening for older individuals. These findings will directly inform implementation strategies. Results: Three themes were identified; Preconditions to Implementing Older Person-Centred Screening; Knowledge and Skills Required to Implement Older Person-centred Screening and Motivation to Deliver Older Person-Centred Screening. Overall, screening in emergency care settings is a complicated process which is ideally undertaken by knowledgeable and skilled practitioners with a keen awareness of team dynamics and environmental challenges in acute care settings. These practitioners serve as champions and sources of specialist knowledge and practice. Less experienced clinicians seek supervision and support to undertake screening competently and confidently. Education on frailty and aged related syndromes facilitates screening uptake. Recognition of the value of screening is a clear motivator and leadership is vital to sustain screening practices. Conclusions: Screening serves as an entry point for specialist intervention, necessitating a specialist multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach for effective implementation in emergency care settings. Strengthening screening practices for older adults who attend emergency care settings involves employing audit, supervision and tailored supports. Skilled and experienced practitioners play a key role in mentoring and supporting the broader MDT in screening engagement. Long-term and sustainable implementation relies on utilising existing managerial, practice development and educational resources to underpin screening practices. Communication between Emergency Department (ED) staff, the specialist team and wider geriatric team is vital to ensure a cohesive approach to delivering older person-centred care in the ED.
AB - Background: In emergency care settings, screening for disease or risk factors for poor health outcomes among older adults can identify those in need of specialist and early intervention. The aim of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators to implementing older person-centred screening in emergency care settings in the Mid-West of Ireland. Methods: This study employed a qualitative descriptive design underpinned by the theoretical domains framework (TDF). This design informs implementation strategy by establishing a theoretical foundation for focused objectives. One on one semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of healthcare workers (HCWs) to explore their screening experiences with older adults in emergency care settings. Information power guided sample size calculation. In data analysis, verbatim interview transcripts were deductively mapped to TDF constructs forming meta-themes that revealed specific barriers and facilitators to person-centred screening for older individuals. These findings will directly inform implementation strategies. Results: Three themes were identified; Preconditions to Implementing Older Person-Centred Screening; Knowledge and Skills Required to Implement Older Person-centred Screening and Motivation to Deliver Older Person-Centred Screening. Overall, screening in emergency care settings is a complicated process which is ideally undertaken by knowledgeable and skilled practitioners with a keen awareness of team dynamics and environmental challenges in acute care settings. These practitioners serve as champions and sources of specialist knowledge and practice. Less experienced clinicians seek supervision and support to undertake screening competently and confidently. Education on frailty and aged related syndromes facilitates screening uptake. Recognition of the value of screening is a clear motivator and leadership is vital to sustain screening practices. Conclusions: Screening serves as an entry point for specialist intervention, necessitating a specialist multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach for effective implementation in emergency care settings. Strengthening screening practices for older adults who attend emergency care settings involves employing audit, supervision and tailored supports. Skilled and experienced practitioners play a key role in mentoring and supporting the broader MDT in screening engagement. Long-term and sustainable implementation relies on utilising existing managerial, practice development and educational resources to underpin screening practices. Communication between Emergency Department (ED) staff, the specialist team and wider geriatric team is vital to ensure a cohesive approach to delivering older person-centred care in the ED.
KW - Barriers and facilitators
KW - Emergency care settings
KW - Emergency departments
KW - Geriatric screening
KW - Implementation strategies
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85208082401&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s12877-024-05410-6
DO - 10.1186/s12877-024-05410-6
M3 - Article
C2 - 39468443
AN - SCOPUS:85208082401
SN - 1471-2318
VL - 24
JO - BMC Geriatrics
JF - BMC Geriatrics
IS - 1
M1 - 888
ER -