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Kast K, Otten SM, Konopik J, Maier CB. Web-Based Public Reporting as a Decision-Making Tool for Consumers of Long-Term Care in the United States and the United Kingdom: Systematic Analysis of Report Cards. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e44382. [PMID: 38096004 PMCID: PMC10755662 DOI: 10.2196/44382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Report cards can help consumers make an informed decision when searching for a long-term care facility. OBJECTIVE This study aims to examine the current state of web-based public reporting on long-term care facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom. METHODS We conducted an internet search for report cards, which allowed for a nationwide search for long-term care facilities and provided freely accessible quality information. On the included report cards, we drew a sample of 1320 facility profiles by searching for long-term care facilities in 4 US and 2 UK cities. Based on those profiles, we analyzed the information provided by the included report cards descriptively. RESULTS We found 40 report cards (26 in the United States and 14 in the United Kingdom). In total, 11 of them did not state the source of information. Additionally, 7 report cards had an advanced search field, 24 provided simplification tools, and only 3 had a comparison function. Structural quality information was always provided, followed by consumer feedback on 27 websites, process quality on 15 websites, prices on 12 websites, and outcome quality on 8 websites. Inspection results were always displayed as composite measures. CONCLUSIONS Apparently, the identified report cards have deficits. To make them more helpful for users and to bring public reporting a bit closer to its goal of improving the quality of health care services, both countries are advised to concentrate on optimizing the existing report cards. Those should become more transparent and improve the reporting of prices and consumer feedback. Advanced search, simplification tools, and comparison functions should be integrated more widely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Kast
- Chair of Health Care Management, Institute of Management, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Sara-Marie Otten
- Chair of Health Care Management, Institute of Management, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Jens Konopik
- Chair of Health Care Management, Institute of Management, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Claudia B Maier
- School of Public Health, Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
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Towers AM, Rand S, Collins G, Smith N, Palmer S, Cassell J. Measuring quality of life in care homes when self-report is challenging: the construct validity, structural characteristics and internal consistency of the mixed-methods adult social care outcomes toolkit. Age Ageing 2023; 52:afad168. [PMID: 37659095 PMCID: PMC10474903 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afad168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The adult social care outcomes toolkit (ASCOT) measures social care-related quality of life (SCRQoL) using self-completion questionnaires and interviews. Many care home residents find such methods inaccessible, leading to a reliance on proxy-reporting. This study aimed to establish the psychometric properties of the mixed-methods toolkit [ASCOT-Care Homes, 4 outcome (CH4)] for measuring SCRQoL when residents cannot self-report. METHODS Two cross-sectional, mixed-methods studies were undertaken in care homes for older people in England between 2015 and 2020. We used the ASCOT-CH4 (observation, and interviews with residents and proxies) to collect information about SCRQoL and collected additional data on residents' needs and characteristics, and variables hypothesised to be related to SCRQoL.Hypothesis testing was applied to establish construct validity, Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency and exploratory factor analysis for structural validity. RESULTS The combined dataset included 475 residents from 54 care homes (34 nursing, 20 residential). Half had a diagnosis of dementia. Less than a third of residents were able to complete an ASCOT interview. Observations and proxy interviews informed researcher ratings, meaning there were no missing ASCOT-CH4 scores. ASCOT-CH4 was found to be a weak unidimensional scale, consistent with other ASCOT measures, with acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.77, 8 items). Construct validity was supported by the findings. CONCLUSIONS The ASCOT-CH4 is an alternative to conventional proxy-questionnaires for measuring the SCRQoL of care home residents, with good psychometric properties. A limitation is that users need a range of data collection skills. Future research should explore whether findings are replicable when data are collected by other researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Marie Towers
- Centre for Health Services Studies (CHSS), University of Kent, Kent, UK
| | - Stacey Rand
- Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU), University of Kent, Kent, UK
| | - Grace Collins
- Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU), University of Kent, Kent, UK
| | - Nick Smith
- Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU), University of Kent, Kent, UK
| | - Sinead Palmer
- Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU), University of Kent, Kent, UK
| | - Jackie Cassell
- Primary Care and Public Health, Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), Brighton, UK
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Carbone S, Kokorelias KM, Berta W, Law S, Kuluski K. Stakeholder involvement in care transition planning for older adults and the factors guiding their decision-making: a scoping review. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e059446. [PMID: 35697455 PMCID: PMC9196186 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To synthesise the existing literature on care transition planning from the perspectives of older adults, caregivers and health professionals and to identify the factors that may influence these stakeholders' transition decision-making processes. DESIGN A scoping review guided by Arksey and O'Malley's six-step framework. A comprehensive search strategy was conducted on 7 January 2021 to identify articles in five databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO and AgeLine). Records were included when they described care transition planning in an institutional setting from the perspectives of the care triad (older adults, caregivers and health professionals). No date or study design restrictions were imposed. SETTING This review explored care transitions involving older adults from an institutional care setting to any other institutional or non-institutional care setting. Institutional care settings include communal facilities where individuals dwell for short or extended periods of time and have access to healthcare services. PARTICIPANTS Older adults (aged 65 or older), caregivers and health professionals. RESULTS 39 records were included. Stakeholder involvement in transition planning varied across the studies. Transition decisions were largely made by health professionals, with limited or unclear involvement from older adults and caregivers. Seven factors appeared to guide transition planning across the stakeholder groups: (a) institutional priorities and requirements; (b) resources; (c) knowledge; (d) risk; (e) group structure and dynamic; (f) health and support needs; and (g) personality preferences and beliefs. Factors were described at microlevels, mesolevels and macrolevels. CONCLUSIONS This review explored stakeholder involvement in transition planning and identified seven factors that appear to influence transition decision-making. These factors may be useful in advancing the delivery of person and family-centred care by determining how individual-level, group-level and system-level values guide decision-making. Further research is needed to understand how various stakeholder groups balance these factors during transition planning in different health contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Carbone
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kristina Marie Kokorelias
- St John's Rehab Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Whitney Berta
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susan Law
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kerry Kuluski
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
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Burton JK, Wolters AT, Towers AM, Jones L, Meyer J, Gordon AL, Irvine L, Hanratty B, Spilsbury K, Peryer G, Rand S, Killett A, Akdur G, Allan S, Biswas P, Goodman C. Developing a minimum data set for older adult care homes in the UK: exploring the concept and defining early core principles. THE LANCET. HEALTHY LONGEVITY 2022; 3:e186-e193. [PMID: 35282598 PMCID: PMC8901193 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-7568(22)00010-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Reforms to social care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in the UK and internationally, place data at the heart of proposed innovations and solutions. The principles are not well established of what constitutes core, or minimum, data to support care home residents. Often, what is included privileges data on resident health over day-to-day care priorities and quality of life. This Personal View argues for evidence-based principles on which to base the development of a UK minimum data set (MDS) for care homes. Co-produced work involving care home staff and older people working with stakeholders is required to define and agree the format, content, structure, and operationalisation of the MDS. Implementation decisions will determine the success of the MDS, affecting aspects including data quality, completeness, and usability. Care home staff who collect the data need to benefit from the MDS and see value in their contribution, and residents must derive benefit from data collection and synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Kirsty Burton
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK,Correspondence to: Dr Jennifer Kirsty Burton, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, New Lister Building, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK
| | | | - Ann-Marie Towers
- Centre for Health Services Studies, Cornwallis Central, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK,NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Kent Surrey and Sussex, UK
| | | | - Julienne Meyer
- National Care Forum, Coventry, UK,School of Health Sciences, Division of Nursing, City University of London, London, UK
| | - Adam Lee Gordon
- Unit of Injury, Inflammation and Recovery Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Derby Medical School, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK,NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, UK
| | - Lisa Irvine
- Centre for Research in Public health and Community Care, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Barbara Hanratty
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK,NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria, UK
| | - Karen Spilsbury
- School of Healthcare, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK,NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Yorkshire and Humber, UK
| | - Guy Peryer
- School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK,NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East of England, UK
| | - Stacey Rand
- Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU), Cornwallis Central, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Anne Killett
- School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK,NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East of England, UK
| | - Gizdem Akdur
- Centre for Research in Public health and Community Care, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Stephen Allan
- Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU), Cornwallis Central, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Priti Biswas
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Claire Goodman
- Centre for Research in Public health and Community Care, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK,NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East of England, UK
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Towers AM, Smith N, Allan S, Vadean F, Collins G, Rand S, Bostock J, Ramsbottom H, Forder J, Lanza S, Cassell J. Care home residents’ quality of life and its association with CQC ratings and workforce issues: the MiCareHQ mixed-methods study. HEALTH SERVICES AND DELIVERY RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.3310/hsdr09190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Care home staff have a critical bearing on quality. The staff employed, the training they receive and how well they identify and manage residents’ needs are likely to influence outcomes. The Care Act 2014 (Great Britain. The Care Act 2014. London: The Stationery Office; 2014) requires services to improve ‘well-being’, but many residents cannot self-report and are at risk of exclusion from giving their views. The Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit enables social care-related quality of life to be measured using a mixed-methods approach. There is currently no equivalent way of measuring aspects of residents’ health-related quality of life. We developed new tools for measuring pain, anxiety and depression using a mixed-methods approach. We also explored the relationship between care home quality, residents’ outcomes, and the skill mix and employment conditions of the workforce who support them.
Objectives
The objectives were to develop and test measures of pain, anxiety and depression for residents unable to self-report; to assess the extent to which regulator quality ratings reflect residents’ care-related quality of life; and to assess the relationship between aspects of the staffing of care homes and the quality of care homes.
Design
This was a mixed-methods study.
Setting
The setting was care homes for older adults in England.
Participants
Care home residents participated.
Results
Three measures of pain, anxiety and low mood were developed and tested, using a mixed-methods approach, with 182 care home residents in 20 care homes (nursing and residential). Psychometric testing found that the measures had good construct validity. The mixed-methods approach was both feasible and necessary with this population, as the majority of residents could not self-report. Using a combined data set (n = 475 residents in 54 homes) from this study and the Measuring Outcomes in Care Homes study (Towers AM, Palmer S, Smith N, Collins G, Allan S. A cross-sectional study exploring the relationship between regulator quality ratings and care home residents’ quality of life in England. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2019;17:22) we found a significant positive association between residents’ social care-related quality of life and regulator (i.e. Care Quality Commission) quality ratings. Multivariate regression revealed that homes rated ‘good/outstanding’ are associated with a 12% improvement in mean current social care-related quality of life among residents who have higher levels of dependency. Secondary data analysis of a large, national sample of care homes over time assessed the impact of staffing and employment conditions on Care Quality Commission quality ratings. Higher wages and a higher prevalence of training in both dementia and dignity-/person-centred care were positively associated with care quality, whereas high staff turnover and job vacancy rates had a significant negative association. A 10% increase in the average care worker wage increased the likelihood of a ‘good/outstanding’ rating by 7%.
Limitations
No care homes rated as inadequate were recruited to the study.
Conclusions
The most dependent residents gain the most from homes rated ‘good/outstanding’. However, measuring the needs and outcomes of these residents is challenging, as many cannot self-report. A mixed-methods approach can reduce methodological exclusion and an over-reliance on proxies. Improving working conditions and reducing staff turnover may be associated with better outcomes for residents.
Future work
Further work is required to explore the relationship between pain, anxiety and low mood and other indicators of care homes quality and to examine the relationship between wages, training and social care outcomes.
Funding
This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 9, No. 19. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Marie Towers
- Centre for Health Services Studies, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Nick Smith
- Personal Social Services Research Unit, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Stephen Allan
- Personal Social Services Research Unit, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Florin Vadean
- Personal Social Services Research Unit, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Grace Collins
- Personal Social Services Research Unit, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Stacey Rand
- Personal Social Services Research Unit, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | | | | | - Julien Forder
- Personal Social Services Research Unit, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
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Towers AM, Palmer S, Smith N, Collins G, Allan S. A cross-sectional study exploring the relationship between regulator quality ratings and care home residents' quality of life in England. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2019; 17:22. [PMID: 30704482 PMCID: PMC6357453 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-019-1093-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The quality of life of people receiving health and social care is an important indicator of service quality, but the relationship between patient experience and outcomes and regulator quality ratings in England is unknown. In 2013, the health and social care regulator in England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), introduced a new ratings system and by February 2017, all social care services were inspected and awarded new quality ratings (outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate). This study aimed to explore whether quality ratings were associated with residents’ quality of life, controlling for confounding variables. Methods We conducted a nested, cross-sectional study, collecting social care-related quality of life (SCRQoL) data for 293 older care home residents in 34 care homes (20 nursing and 14 residential) in the South East of England. CQC ratings and other resident and home-level variables were also collected for the analysis. Multilevel modelling explored whether residents’ social care-related quality of life (SCRQoL) was associated with regulator ratings, controlling for confounding variables. Results Outstanding and good homes were collapsed into one category and compared with homes requiring improvement. Nationally, only 2 % of care homes for older people are rated as inadequate and it was not possible to capture sufficient numbers for the analysis. We recruited one but it was re-inspected during the fieldwork period and its rating changed to requires improvement. The random intercept multilevel model, which accounted for 16.93% of the differences in SCRQoL within homes and 69.80% between, indicated that better SCRQoL was significantly associated with being female, better functioning, no dementia diagnosis, fewer communication difficulties, and living in a care home rated as outstanding/good by CQC. Size of home and registration category were not significant predictors. Conclusions This study found evidence that quality ratings are associated with residents’ SCRQoL. As well as aiming to improve quality and ensure minimum standards, quality ratings have the potential to inform user choice and help the public compare care homes based on quality. Future research to establish the generalisability and replicability of the results is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Marie Towers
- Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU), University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NF, UK.
| | - Sinead Palmer
- Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU), University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NF, UK
| | - Nick Smith
- Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU), University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NF, UK
| | - Grace Collins
- Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU), University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NF, UK
| | - Stephen Allan
- Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU), University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NF, UK
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