Family interventions in dementia mental health environments (FIND ME): a mixed-methods protocol

TL;DR

This study explores how to better involve carers in the mental health care of people with dementia during hospital admissions.

Contribution

The study introduces a mixed-methods approach to co-produce evidence-based strategies for improving carer involvement in dementia care.

Findings

Carers often feel excluded from decision-making during dementia admissions.

The study will use surveys, interviews, and ethnographic fieldwork to understand carer and patient experiences.

Co-design workshops will develop practical strategies for improving carer involvement.

Abstract

Admission to a mental health ward can be distressing for people living with dementia and their carers. While carer involvement is associated with improved outcomes, carers often report feeling excluded from decision-making and support during admissions. There is limited understanding of how wards engage with carers and what strategies might enhance involvement. This study seeks to address this gap by exploring carer and patient experiences during and after admission and co-producing evidence-based strategies for improved support and involvement.

The FIND ME study uses a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. A national online survey will map provision of mental healthcare for people with dementia across the UK. Narrative interviews will be undertaken with carers of current inpatients (n=24) and recently discharged individuals (n=24), with opportunities for dyadic interviews with people with dementia. Ethnographic fieldwork across three wards (30 days per site) will provide insight into organisational cultures, staff practices and carer involvement. Evidence-based co-design workshops with carers, people with dementia and staff will use these findings to identify priorities and develop practical strategies for service improvement. Finally, a feasibility study will test the acceptability, relevance and potential for implementation of these co-designed strategies. Quantitative data will be analysed descriptively, while qualitative data will undergo narrative and thematic analysis. Triangulation across datasets will ensure rigour.

Ethical approval has been granted by London Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee and the Health Research Authority (REC Ref: 25/LO/0040). Informed consent will be obtained from all participants, with capacity assessed in line with the Mental Capacity Act (2005). Dissemination will include peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and freely available multilingual resources for carers, people with dementia and ward staff, supported by NHS and third-sector partners.

NIHR161439