Understanding the eating and drinking experiences of people living with dementia and dysphagia in care homes from multiple perspectives.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bradford
Department Name: Faculty of Health Studies
Abstract
I am a Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, specialising in dementia, specifically supporting people who are living with dementia who also experience difficulties with eating, drinking and swallowing (called dysphagia). I am also an experienced dementia care consultant and trainer. In 2020 I completed my PhD, which was titled "Understanding the eating and drinking experiences of people living with dementia and dysphagia: a qualitative study of the multiple perspectives of the person, their family, care home staff and Speech and Language Therapists."
This fellowship would provide me with the opportunity to consolidate my PhD research and move forward as a clinical-academic researcher. There are three key areas under which I would achieve this aim:
1. Dissemination of PhD Findings
This will involve:
a) Submitting three papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals, directed at care providers, healthcare professionals and qualitative researchers
b) Creating two infographics and short, animated video to highlight my findings to health and social care staff, care regulators and policy makers
c) Submitting abstracts to three UK and two international conferences, directed at healthcare professionals, care providers, researchers, people living with dementia and their families
d) Attendance at Clinical Excellence Network events throughout the UK to network and collaborate with fellow Speech and Language Therapists.
As well as sharing the valuable findings from my PhD, completion of these activities will help establish myself as a clinical academic with a developing public and academic dissemination track record and strong networks with relevant stakeholders, professionals and academics in my field.
2. Training and development
This will involve completing:
a) A MSc module at the University of Bradford in Project Planning and Design
b) The Aurora Leadership Programme with Advance Higher Education
c) A week-long research visit to the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy at King's College, London.
Completion of these activities will develop my knowledge and skills relating to research strategy, project planning and delivery, mentoring and leadership, social sciences research and effective networking. These are all skills that I have identified through my personal reflection and use of the Vitae Research Development Framework as being necessary for me to become a successful researcher.
3. Proposal Development
This will involve:
a) Forming a stakeholder panel of people who have an interest in dementia and dysphagia, including healthcare professionals, social care providers, care regulators, people living with dementia and family carers
b) Developing and submitting an application for an NIHR Advanced Fellowship.
These activities will allow me to develop strong networks and collaborations for future research and for me to develop a research proposal that draws on the findings from my PhD and further research in this area.
This fellowship would provide me with the opportunity to consolidate my PhD research and move forward as a clinical-academic researcher. There are three key areas under which I would achieve this aim:
1. Dissemination of PhD Findings
This will involve:
a) Submitting three papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals, directed at care providers, healthcare professionals and qualitative researchers
b) Creating two infographics and short, animated video to highlight my findings to health and social care staff, care regulators and policy makers
c) Submitting abstracts to three UK and two international conferences, directed at healthcare professionals, care providers, researchers, people living with dementia and their families
d) Attendance at Clinical Excellence Network events throughout the UK to network and collaborate with fellow Speech and Language Therapists.
As well as sharing the valuable findings from my PhD, completion of these activities will help establish myself as a clinical academic with a developing public and academic dissemination track record and strong networks with relevant stakeholders, professionals and academics in my field.
2. Training and development
This will involve completing:
a) A MSc module at the University of Bradford in Project Planning and Design
b) The Aurora Leadership Programme with Advance Higher Education
c) A week-long research visit to the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy at King's College, London.
Completion of these activities will develop my knowledge and skills relating to research strategy, project planning and delivery, mentoring and leadership, social sciences research and effective networking. These are all skills that I have identified through my personal reflection and use of the Vitae Research Development Framework as being necessary for me to become a successful researcher.
3. Proposal Development
This will involve:
a) Forming a stakeholder panel of people who have an interest in dementia and dysphagia, including healthcare professionals, social care providers, care regulators, people living with dementia and family carers
b) Developing and submitting an application for an NIHR Advanced Fellowship.
These activities will allow me to develop strong networks and collaborations for future research and for me to develop a research proposal that draws on the findings from my PhD and further research in this area.
People |
ORCID iD |
Lindsey Collins (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
Publications
O'Keeffe S
(2021)
Aspiration, risk and risk feeding: A critique of the royal college of physicians guidance on care of people with eating and drinking difficulties
in Advances in Communication and Swallowing
O'Keeffe ST
(2023)
Informed or misinformed consent and use of modified texture diets in dysphagia.
in BMC medical ethics
Title | Infographic - Measuring Wellbeing |
Description | A live illustrator attended a focus group that I organised and created a piece of visual art to represent the discussions of the group on the topic of measuring wellbeing. |
Type Of Art | Artwork |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | This illustration has been shared with others with an interest in measuring wellbeing and will form the basis of an application for further research funding. |
Title | Video Animation - Eating and drinking experiences of people living with dementia and dysphagia in a care home setting |
Description | A video animation has been commissioned and is currently at the storyboarding phase with a planned release date of June 2023. This animation will share findings from my PhD research on the topic of eating and drinking experiences of people living with dementia and dysphagia in a care home setting. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | This animation will be shared with people with lived experience of dementia, family carers and health and social care professionals. |
Description | There were three key areas that I aimed to achieve as a result of this award. The three areas are listed below with my achievements. 1. Dissemination of PhD findings Achievements: I have co-authored two published papers and have submitted a further paper, which is under review. I commissioned a live illustrator to produce a visual image relating to my research on measuring wellbeing. I have presented at two international conferences (International Gerontechnology Expo and the European Speech and Language Association Congress) and two UK conferences (Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Conference and the UK Swallow Research Group Conference); and I have attended and presented at three clinical research events. 2. Training and development Achievements: I have completed an MSc module in Project Planning and Design and completed the ESRC development programme. This programme taught me many skills relating to career development, networking, publishing and influencing policy. 3. Proposal development Achievements: I was successful in applying for a pump priming award, which enabled me to create a network of people with an interest in measuring wellbeing, particularly in those with reduced communication abilities, who I am continuing to work with to develop further research grant applications. I submitted a co-produced proposal for an Alzheimer's Society grant, Whilst this was unsuccessful, I learned a lot from the process about collaborating and proposal formulation. |
Exploitation Route | The outputs from this award will be of interest to those who are working in healthcare settings and also policy makers who are interested in policy relating to wellbeing and quality of life, as well as measuring the views, opinions and experiences of people with reduced communication abilities. This award has also enabled me to build my knowledge, skills and networks that will enable me to more confidently and successfully continue my research career and obtain funding for further related research. |
Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Healthcare |
Description | This award has given me the opportunity to highlight my abilities in my clinical academic role. As a result of this, I was awarded the role of lead author for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists to update the guidance provided to speech and language therapists about how to support people living with dementia. This guidance will improve the knowledge and skills of speech and language therapists working with people living with dementia and will therefore improve the lives of those they support. |
First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
Sector | Healthcare |
Impact Types | Policy & public services |
Description | Dementia Guidance Lead Author - Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | Short Course on Dementia and Dysphagia |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Description | ESRC PDF Pump Priming Grant |
Amount | £4,704 (GBP) |
Funding ID | SA_PDF/02/2022 |
Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2022 |
End | 02/2023 |
Description | Measuring Wellbeing Round Table Discussion |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | 10 people attended a round table discussion about how we can measure wellbeing in people with reduced communication abilities. Attendees came from a range of backgrounds including governing bodies, NHS, research institutions, department for work and pensions and charitable organisations. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |