Newcastle University

Aims

The module presents state of the art knowledge and experience from clinical experts and researchers specialising in the health of older people. It is a review in-depth of the challenges and opportunities when performing clinical research involving older people and is appropriate to clinicians and non-clinicians alike. This module is delivered as a diploma module in the Masters of Clinical Research programme. This module may also be taken as a stand alone 20 credit module by a student not wishing to graduate MClinRes and as part of the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Research.

•       To gain insight into the challenges and benefits of involving older people in clinical research, including traditionally excluded groups such as people with dementia and black and ethnic minority elders

•       To increase awareness of appropriate strategies to improve recruitment of older people to clinical research studies in range of settings including hospital and care homes

•       To encourage consideration of potential topics for future clinical research involving older people

Outline Of Syllabus

Module Summary:

The module syllabus involves discussion of the major barriers and challenges that can be faced when involving older people in clinical research including:
Why involving older people in clinical research is important
Policy documents such as the National Service Framework
Attitudes and Ageism including legislation
The Philosophy of Ageing
PREDICT charter

Ethics in older people
Consent and capacity (MCA 2007)
Frailty and vulnerability
End of life
Specialist REC committees
Social care governance

Barriers and solutions
Research design considerations including PPI
Communication difficulties
Prejudice and ageism
Specific areas of recruitment – acute care, rehab, GP, care homes
Marginalised groups e.g. ethnic minorties, dementia

Success stories/case-studies
PPI and innovative research design
Qualitative and quantitative examples – 85+ study
Dementia and delirium
Care home
Macular degeneration


Planning and logistics:
      Piloting with older people
      Transport
      Physical access and facilities
      Timing
      Liaison with carers

Acute care and rehab:
      Communication with acute staff – changing culture
      Appropriate resources e.g. posters, leaflets

Primary care and care homes
      PCRN networks
      Recruitment via individual care homes – liaison with staff
      Sources of selection bias
      Social care governance

Consent/capacity

Ethnic minorities
      Different epidemiology
      Focus groups and research planning
      Use of interpreters
      Expert groups e.g. PRIAE

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The module will be delivered by e-learning via the Blackboard VLE. The curriculum will be delivered through a series of guided learning opportunities including e-based tutorials, lectures, seminars, discussion boards and scheduled online discussion such as Skype. Students will submit their work for assessment via the Blackboard VLE. Students will be asked to prepare paperwork for formative and summative assessments and submit these for assessment through the VLE. The work for summative assessment will use the knowledge acquired, their individual feedback, notes and other sources. Student work will be submitted and feedback given electronically. The course material will provide students with current specialist knowledge from clinical researchers in the field of ageing.
Critical appraisal, data interpretation and presentation skills will be practised in on-line e-seminars (all key skills outcomes) and the discussion board interaction and reflective journal will encourage the students to reflect on their learning.. All of these activities relate directly to the learning outcomes above.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The written work tests the student’s knowledge base, comprehension and ability to discuss the subject critically. The critique tests breadth and application of knowledge, understanding and ability to critically evaluate data presented. The presentation will involve submission of slides for assessment and then presentation via conference call, this tests the student’s ability to present data (communication skills) and the level of their understanding of the subject in the context of a particular example.