Supporting the spread of effective integration models for older people living in care homes: A mixed-method approach

This project seeks to identify, classify and compare the types and extent of locally-implemented integrated care policies in relation to care homes in England.

Closer integration of social care and health services is a policy priority in many countries. The NHS Long Term Plan commits to rolling-out innovative integration practices across England with a specific emphasis on initiatives aimed at care home residents.

However, the optimal mix of integration care home initiatives, when and in what context is unknown. Comprehensive knowledge of existing integrated initiatives, their types, the factors which enable or hamper implementation and their effect on key outcomes is key to supporting their efficient and effective, national roll-out. 

Aims and objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic is showing us how important it is to have joined-up care and health services, especially for caring for the vulnerable people living in care homes. We still do not know the best way of integrating services or what factors lead to successful integration.

Dr Marcello Morciano

To identify integration interventions referenced in official documents by using artificial intelligence methods (text mining/machine learning). Collected information will be:

  • mapped after validation by researchers, and by a national survey about local policymaker activity;
  • synthesised using latent factor structural equation models, validated by panel discussions with experts and PPI/E representatives;
  • used to assess relationships with local social care and health systems performance indicators.

Manchester researchers

Principal Investigator

Dr Marcello Morciano

Co-Investigators

Dr Jonathan Stokes, Prof Sophia Ananiadou, Dr Paul Clarkson, Dr Laura Anselmi, Dr Alexander J. Turner, Dr Anna Coleman, Prof Katherine Checkland.

Funding

Funder: NIHR’s Research for Social Care (RfSC)

Funding Period: April 2021 – April 2023