RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Dementia care coordinator service in Kent and Medway: a realist evaluation protocol
JF BJGP Open
JO BJGP Open
FD Royal College of General Practitioners
SP BJGPO.2023.0098
DO 10.3399/BJGPO.2023.0098
VO 7
IS 4
A1 Abrams, Ruth
A1 Gage, Heather
A1 Maben, Jill
A1 Grosvenor, Wendy
A1 Sykes, Kath
A1 Touray, Morro
YR 2023
UL http://bjgpopen.org/content/7/4/BJGPO.2023.0098.abstract
AB Background Dementia care is a key priority for both NHS England and the UK government. National guidelines highlight the importance of care coordination to address the challenges people living with dementia and their carers can encounter when trying to access the health and care system. To counter these challenges, Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) have recently implemented a proactive dementia care coordinator (DCC) service to support people with dementia and their carers from pre-diagnosis to end-of-life care.Aim To understand how the DCC service works (or does not work), for whom, and in what circumstances. The findings will inform service development and future investment decisions.Design & setting This study will use a realist approach to evaluate the DCC service in Kent and Medway ICB, south-east England, which has a population of 1.9 million, comprising 42 primary care networks (PCNs; groups of general practices) each having a DCC.Method An initial programme theory will be developed from existing literature, and in collaboration with stakeholders. Mixed methods, including questionnaires to DCCs, service provider metrics, and qualitative interviews, will be used to collect data on service provider and service user experiences. Interpretive comparative analysis and narrative synthesis, including evaluation of service costs against outcomes, will produce a refined final programme theory.Results The results from this project will produce evidence-based recommendations to help improve service delivery and possible service expansion.Conclusion This protocol describes a realist evaluation designed to investigate the recently implemented DCC service in Kent and Medway ICB.