Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
This research involves a survey of community dwelling older people
attending the ED and further depth interviews with a sub-sample.
Survey instruments include the Network Assessment Instrument,
Nottingham Health Profile, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale,
CASP-19 and also the Mini Mental Status Examination. Depth
interviews are used to explore and describe in more detail the
circumstances that led to each patient’s decision to attend the ED.
Selection of sample:
Individuals aged 65 years or older (on the date of presentation at
the ED) who reside in the community are considered for inclusion.
Participants are selected using a structured random sampling
method.
Analysis
Descriptive statistics will be used to develop a profile. Inferential
statistics will be used to identify any significant differences between
various demographic groups. Regression techniques will also be
used to determine which factors are predictors of attendance at the
ED.
Outcomes
1. Profile of older people living in the community who attend the ED
in terms of their demographic, functional, social and
psychological characteristics.
2. The circumstances and experiences preceding their use of the
ED.
3. Strategies as perceived by older people that would have
alleviated their need to attend the ED or may have provided a
more appropriate source of care.
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