Development of a Mental Health Indicator Tool for Residential Aged Care
Tracks
Ballroom 3
Dementia
Mental Health
Quality improvement
Residential
| Wednesday, November 13, 2024 |
| 2:45 PM - 3:00 PM |
Speaker
Dr Deborah Brooks
Research Fellow
The University of Queensland
Development of a Mental Health Indicator Tool for Residential Aged Care
Abstract
Background: Current mental health practices for people living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) are poor. There are currently no governance mechanisms to monitor and promote mental health for residents, including those with changed behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia.
Aim: To improve current practices and mental health outcomes by co-designing a Mental Health Care Indicator Tool for residential aged care (MHICare Tool).
Methods: A two-stage co-design methodology was used. Stage 1 included qualitative interviews / focus groups with residents (n=12), family carers (n=8) and RAC staff (n=6), to understand RACF factors that influence the mental health of residents. Adapted group concept mapping methods were used to rank factors in order of importance and amenability to change. Findings informed the generation of potential quality indicators. Stage 2 comprised a Delphi procedure to gain wider consensus of invited experts (aged care industry, consumer, academic, clinical; n=53) on the indicators to be included.
Results: Stage 1 findings were used to develop 35 potential indicators within the domains of Assessment and Management, Staff Knowledge and Training, Resources, and Resident Outcomes. Delphi experts provided both quantitative and qualitative feedback in the 1st round, resulting in 30 potential indicators for consideration in the 2nd round. Consensus will be achieved by round 3.
Conclusion: The MHICare Tool will be the first to measure mental health processes and outcomes in residential aged care. Future studies will pilot-test the tool within partnering RACFs, whilst future implementation has the potential to facilitate quality improvement initiatives across Australia.
Aim: To improve current practices and mental health outcomes by co-designing a Mental Health Care Indicator Tool for residential aged care (MHICare Tool).
Methods: A two-stage co-design methodology was used. Stage 1 included qualitative interviews / focus groups with residents (n=12), family carers (n=8) and RAC staff (n=6), to understand RACF factors that influence the mental health of residents. Adapted group concept mapping methods were used to rank factors in order of importance and amenability to change. Findings informed the generation of potential quality indicators. Stage 2 comprised a Delphi procedure to gain wider consensus of invited experts (aged care industry, consumer, academic, clinical; n=53) on the indicators to be included.
Results: Stage 1 findings were used to develop 35 potential indicators within the domains of Assessment and Management, Staff Knowledge and Training, Resources, and Resident Outcomes. Delphi experts provided both quantitative and qualitative feedback in the 1st round, resulting in 30 potential indicators for consideration in the 2nd round. Consensus will be achieved by round 3.
Conclusion: The MHICare Tool will be the first to measure mental health processes and outcomes in residential aged care. Future studies will pilot-test the tool within partnering RACFs, whilst future implementation has the potential to facilitate quality improvement initiatives across Australia.
Biography
Dr Deborah Brooks is a Research Fellow at the Dementia & Neuro Mental Health Research Unit (DNMHRU), University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR). She has a background in psychology and health services research and has been involved in dementia research and service development projects both in Australia and the UK. Her mixed methods research aims to improve the mental health, emotional well-being, quality of life and quality of care of older Australians living with age-related progressive brain diseases such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease and their family care partners, through innovative high-quality research and knowledge translation activities.
Her research interests include evaluating psychosocial interventions to support the mental health of people living with dementia and their family carers within both community and residential aged care settings and the application of telehealth modalities to support access to counselling and therapy. She is also interested in models of residential aged care that promote mental health and quality of life. Across all studies, she is involved in the application of implementation science to i) identify barriers and enablers to the implementation of evidence-based interventions and programs, and ii) design and evaluate implementation strategies within health and residential aged care services.
Session Chair
Sze-Ee Soh
Senior Lecturer
Monash University
