Developing research resources and minimum data set for care homes' adoption and use (DACHA).

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Health Services Research
• Data Science

Background:

• Care homes are primary long-term care providers for older adults in England.
• Collaboration between the National Health Service and care homes is crucial for social care.
• Limited data sharing hinders coordinated care, service development, and research in care homes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify methods supporting research, service development, and innovation in care homes.
• To create a relevant and usable minimum data set by combining existing evidence with resident data.
• To facilitate collaboration among residents, relatives, practitioners, researchers, regulators, and commissioners.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach across five work packages, including evidence reviews, data archiving, scoping and realist reviews, and a national survey.
• Linking National Health Service (NHS) and social care data with care home data to derive and assess minimum data set variables.
• Piloting the minimum data set in care homes within integrated care systems, supported by patient and public involvement.

Main Results:

• Reviews highlighted heterogeneity in outcome measures for care home research.
• A prototype minimum data set was developed by linking residents' digital care records with health and social care data.
• The pilot study demonstrated the viability of the minimum data set as a resource for discussions between health and care staff.

Conclusions:

• The study provides an evidence-based critique of care home research methodologies.
• A prototype minimum data set was successfully developed, linking diverse data sources.
• The minimum data set serves as a foundation for improved communication and collaboration between health and social care sectors.