PhD Researcher
The title of my PhD is: Transitions in Care: Information needs concerning the discharge from hospital of an older person
My Background
After graduating with a B.A. (Hons.) in Psychology from Swansea University in 1996, I worked in the voluntary sector until 2008 (including Information roles at two county voluntary councils and a volunteer advice role at the local Citizens Advice Bureau).
From 2008, I was employed by Neath Port Talbot Council in a hospital social work team. My role entailed assessment and care management of mainly older people admitted to the hospital. During my employment, I graduated, again from Swansea University, with a B.Sc. in Social Work.
After leaving my employment with the Council, I took on a number of short-term research assistant contracts with the Centre for Innovative Ageing (CIA). I moved to an administrative post with the Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research (CADR) in 2017.
In 2018, I took up a role as Administration and Communications Co-ordinator with the Wales School for Social Care Research (WSSCR). I continue to work for the School one day a week, while studying for my PhD full-time.
My Research
The purpose of my PhD is to explore the expectations and information needs of older adults (including people living with dementia), family members and kin/non-kin carers around hospital discharge into the community (social care). Drawing on several different research methods the PhD will:
- Undertake a review of the existing research in this area to identify gaps in what we already know. This review will guide the qualitative data collection (interviews).
- Observe how information is given to older people and their families and carers as part of the discharge process in a hospital.
- Examine the information given to older people at discharge from hospital
- Undertake interviews with older people and their families to see how their expectations and need for information differ from what is currently provided. This will include whether the information covers the topics that they would need, given their expectations regarding the discharge process (e.g. a move into residential/nursing care or having the skills and support needed to manage care).
- Work with older people, family carers and other key health and social care staff to co-produce appropriate discharge information
Aside from this area, my wider research interests include: Dementia, Mental Capacity, and the Value Placed on Carers.
Supervisors
Professor Vanessa Burholt & Dr. Deborah Morgan
