Research – a tool to empower or disrupt? The effects of research on those involved

Abstract

Background Research in clinical practice without attachment to a major academic institution can be fraught with difficulties. This article aims to explore some of the difficulties that can be encountered when carrying out research, using the example of a project aiming to use clinical practice to develop more relevant and realistic multidisciplinary outcome measures for the rehabilitation population. In this example, with patient and staff involvement, the reliability study successfully developed the Care Dependency Scale into such a tool. Contents This article does not present the results of the research, which will be presented separately; rather it describes the story of the research project, outlining both the challenges and benefits that transpired as a consequence of staff being involved in research in a small multidisciplinary rehabilitation centre. Conclusions While such research can present many challenges, endeavouring to overcome these can have positive outcomes for both staff and patients. In this case, participating in research proved to be a tool to empower both staff and patients and promoted changes in the Centre. Potential researchers should not be put off their investigations simply because they are not affiliated with an academic institution.

Responsiveness of the Care Dependency Scale for Rehabilitation (CDS‐R)

“…For this patient group, the application of the CDS‐R seems to be very useful, like discussions with healthcare practitioners showed. Particularly colleagues in the UK, who work with highly care‐dependent patients, described the CDS‐R as a useful instrument for the comparison of patient changes, whether weekly, between admission and discharge or from admission to readmission (35). They furthermore highlighted the possibility of the CDS‐R to give information not only about rehabilitation needs and changes by analysing sum‐scores but also on an item‐by‐item basis (35).…”

“…Particularly colleagues in the UK, who work with highly care‐dependent patients, described the CDS‐R as a useful instrument for the comparison of patient changes, whether weekly, between admission and discharge or from admission to readmission (35). They furthermore highlighted the possibility of the CDS‐R to give information not only about rehabilitation needs and changes by analysing sum‐scores but also on an item‐by‐item basis (35). Because of these insights, it is recommended to conduct this study in rehabilitation units or centres with a higher number of care‐dependent patients who have a higher likelihood of changing under rehabilitation than independent patients.…”

“…The CDS‐R is based on the Care Dependency Scale (32), which is a short overview‐assessment instrument (33), and was modified for the field of rehabilitation by adding the item ability to cope (psychological/emotional) (34, 35). This item was added to the Care Dependency Scale as a part of an implementation process in a British rehabilitation centre by an interdisciplinary expert group.…”