Supported: supporting, enabling, and sustaining homecare workers to deliver end-of-life care: a qualitative study 2 protocol 3 4

Bayley, Zana; Bothma, Joan; Bravington, Alison; Forward, Cat; Hussain, Jamilla; Manthorpe, Jill; Pearson, Mark; Roberts, Helen; Taylor, Paul; Walker, Liz; White, Caroline; Wray, Jane; Johnson, Miriam J.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Homecare workers provide essential care at home for people at end-of-life but are often poorly trained and supported. AIM: To explore the experiences and needs of homecare workers and the views of homecare clients and carers, and other community-based health and social care staff about the homecare worker role, including identification of good practice. METHODS: In this qualitative exploratory study, we will conduct 150 semi-structured interviews with homecare workers within three geographic English localities chosen for maximum socio-demographic variation. Eligible participants will be consenting adults providing care services (workers [n = 45], managers [n = 15] community practitioners [n = 30]), receiving care (clients thought to be in the last 6 months of life [n = 30], family carers [n = 15], or commissioners of homecare services supporting end-of-life care [n = 15]. Interviews may adopt a Pictor-guided or standard semi-structured approach according to their preference. Managers and commissioners can contribute to an online focus group if preferred. A range of recruitment strategies will be used, including through homecare agencies, local authorities, local NHS services, charities, voluntary sector groups and social media. Interviews and focus groups will be recorded, transcribed, anonymised, and analysed adopting a case-based approach for each geographic area within-case and then comparison across cases using reflexive thematic analysis. The design and analysis will be informed by Bronfenbrenner's Adapted Ecological Systems theory. This study is registered on the Research Registry (No.8613). CONTRIBUTION: We will provide evidence on ways to improve the experiences and address the needs of homecare workers in relation to caring for people nearing end-of-life. It will offer insight into good practice around supporting homecare workers including responding to their training and development needs. Findings will inform subsequent stages of an evaluation-phase study of a training resource for homecare workers.

Citation

Bayley, Z., Bothma, J., Bravington, A., Forward, C., Hussain, J., Manthorpe, J., Pearson, M., Roberts, H., Taylor, P., Walker, L., White, C., Wray, J., & Johnson, M. J. (2023). Supported: supporting, enabling, and sustaining homecare workers to deliver end-of-life care: a qualitative study 2 protocol 3 4. PLoS ONE, 18(12), Article e0291525. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291525

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 25, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Dec 13, 2023
• Publication Date: Dec 13, 2023
• Deposit Date: Sep 25, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 14, 2023
• Journal: PLoS ONE
• Print ISSN: 1932-6203
• Electronic ISSN: 1932-6203
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 12
• Article Number: e0291525
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291525
• Keywords: Palliative care; End-of-life care; Homecare; Domiciliary care
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4398620