The COM-IC Project: Recommendations for Core Outcome Measurement To Improve (Routine Dementia) Care Quality in Australian Aged Care Settings.
Author(s)
Danelle Kenny1, Alyssa Welch, Bachelor2, Hanh Dao, MASc, RN, PhD2, Tracy Comans, BEc, PhD2;
1Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, HDR Student, Herston, Australia, 2University of Queensland, Hertson, Australia
1Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, HDR Student, Herston, Australia, 2University of Queensland, Hertson, Australia
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: to codesign a Core Outcome Set (COS) with dementia care stakeholders that measures the quality of routine dementia care in Australian aged care settings.
METHODS: Participatory action research methods embedded in the alignment-harmonisation-results framework were used with dementia care stakeholders, including people living with dementia, their carers and family, aged care providers and international researchers to develop consensus on a COS appropriate for use in aged care settings where routine care is provided to people living with dementia. Methods included codesigned community consultation, modified e-Delphi panels, stakeholder reference groups, working groups and international evidence reviews.
RESULTS: We recommend a COS suitable for immediate implementation in home and residential aged care settings for routine measurement of dignity and hygiene in home care, and dignity, pain, and meaningful activities in residential aged care. A further nine core outcomes without consensus on appropriate measures were identified, including quality of life and formal dementia qualifications in both care settings; diagnosis of dementia and feeling safe and secure in home care; and hygiene and comfort, emotional wellbeing, and adverse events in residential care. These outcomes require concentrated research efforts to identify, develop and validate appropriate instruments to measure and improve the quality of routine dementia care in aged care settings. Recommendations also include five extended outcome measures (non-core outcomes with appropriate measures) and twelve measures not currently recommended for inclusion in the COS.
CONCLUSIONS: Our recommendations present a COS ready for immediate use with the potential to reflect outcomes that matter most to people directly giving and receiving dementia care in Australian home and residential aged care. Additionally we identify important outcomes and measurement gaps in the existing system that present opportunity for the outcomes research community to directly improve the quality of care provided to people living with dementia in Australian home and residential aged care.
METHODS: Participatory action research methods embedded in the alignment-harmonisation-results framework were used with dementia care stakeholders, including people living with dementia, their carers and family, aged care providers and international researchers to develop consensus on a COS appropriate for use in aged care settings where routine care is provided to people living with dementia. Methods included codesigned community consultation, modified e-Delphi panels, stakeholder reference groups, working groups and international evidence reviews.
RESULTS: We recommend a COS suitable for immediate implementation in home and residential aged care settings for routine measurement of dignity and hygiene in home care, and dignity, pain, and meaningful activities in residential aged care. A further nine core outcomes without consensus on appropriate measures were identified, including quality of life and formal dementia qualifications in both care settings; diagnosis of dementia and feeling safe and secure in home care; and hygiene and comfort, emotional wellbeing, and adverse events in residential care. These outcomes require concentrated research efforts to identify, develop and validate appropriate instruments to measure and improve the quality of routine dementia care in aged care settings. Recommendations also include five extended outcome measures (non-core outcomes with appropriate measures) and twelve measures not currently recommended for inclusion in the COS.
CONCLUSIONS: Our recommendations present a COS ready for immediate use with the potential to reflect outcomes that matter most to people directly giving and receiving dementia care in Australian home and residential aged care. Additionally we identify important outcomes and measurement gaps in the existing system that present opportunity for the outcomes research community to directly improve the quality of care provided to people living with dementia in Australian home and residential aged care.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
HSD53
Topic
Health Service Delivery & Process of Care
Disease
SDC: Geriatrics, SDC: Neurological Disorders