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Despite the benefits of utilising community‐based care services (CBS) for people with dementia and their caregiver being well established, people with dementia and caregivers use fewer services in comparison to other people in need of care. While societal, cultural and logistical factors effecting caregiver use of CBS are frequently studied, research of internal emotional barriers, mental limitations created by one's own self that prevents open communication of thoughts and feelings, and their effect on CBS use is limited. This paper explores internal emotional barriers on caregivers' use of CBS within the Irish Healthcare System. Professional Healthcare Providers were also interviewed as a preliminary indicator of their awareness of these internal emotional barriers and their impact on caregivers' use of CBS. Using interpretive description methodology, interviews with 20 caregivers and fourteen dementia professional healthcare providers were transcribed and a thematic analysis methodology applied to illuminate themes/patterns within participants' subjective perceptions of caregivers emotional barriers to using CBS. Four themes emerge: reluctance to question general practitioner (GP) authority; embarrassment during level of care requirement reviews; sense of obligation to provide all care; and fear of stigma. Caregivers interviewed were reluctant to communicate concerns with professional healthcare providers (PHPs), thereby reducing the PHP's awareness of these barriers and delaying/preventing use of CBS. As key gatekeepers within the care pathway, GPs should address the uneven power dynamic with the caregiver through user‐centred models of care, which actively encourage open dialogue, and receive training to identify the indicative behaviours of internal emotional barriers and empower the caregiver to communicate their feelings/concerns directly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To identify the barriers and enablers to the implementation of a national policy to increase and develop the advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) workforce in Ireland. Background. The Department of Health (Ireland) introduced a policy to increase the number of ANPs to 2% of the nursing workforce. Evaluation provides information to inform successful policy implementation and development of ANP roles in healthcare services. Methods. Qualitative descriptive design. Twenty candidate ANPs participated in four focus groups. Nine key stakeholders were also interviewed. Results. Analysis identified four barriers: lack of infrastructural resources; delay in releasing and arranging replacements for candidate ANPs; role resistance from administration, allied healthcare professionals and other nurses; and lack of organisational readiness. The five enablers were: supportive physicians; Nursing and Midwifery Practice Development Units; supportive directors of nursing; role awareness and clarity; and educational preparation. Conclusions. This evaluation identifies barriers and enablers to the implementation of a national policy to increase the critical mass of advanced practitioners within the healthcare services. Evaluation at the implementation phase informed the roll-out of future advanced practice initiatives. Implications for Nursing Management. To support advanced practice development, leadership, infrastructure, and resource planning are needed to harness known enablers and address identified barriers to the implementation and sustainability of these posts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevention of safety incidents (SI) in health and social care settings is an ongoing undertaking. Limited research has been conducted on SIs outside of acute care. Internationally residential care facilities (RCFs) are typically regulated to promote quality and safeguarding. A part of this regulation is the statutory responsibility of RCFs to notify the regulator about SIs. Notifications include details surrounding SIs and are used to inform the regulatory monitoring approach. The recent development of the Database of Statutory Notifications from Social Care in Ireland facilitates in‐depth analysis of notifications which can be used to inform the management of SIs and thus, improve quality and safety. The aim of this study was to analyse narratives provided in statutory notifications for older persons and people with disability, in order to identify current management of SIs, system vulnerabilities and reporting practices. A Qualitative Descriptive approach was taken. A random sample of notifications received in 2018 was drawn and stratified by service‐type and notification‐type. Data extraction was conducted against priori agreed target areas of management, system vulnerabilities and reporting practices. Inductive thematic analysis was used identifying two parent themes: 'chronology' and 'regulatory input'. 'Chronology' subthemes included 'pre‐event', 'immediate response' and 'continued response'. Measures that are resident focused and follow policies and protocols in RCFs to prevent or mitigate the seriousness of SIs were evident in the immediate response and continued response. The actions taken in the immediate and continued response in turn became part of the pre‐event of future SIs. Under 'regulatory input' subthemes included 'inaccurate reporting', 'lines of inquiry', 'requests for further information', 'identification of repetitive patterns' and 'satisfactory conclusion'. In conclusion, RCFs manage SIs with short and longer term actions focused on resident wellbeing. These actions in turn become part of the pre‐event of future SIs. Regulatory input highlighted regulatory burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic public health and social protective measures imposed globally resulted in partial or full closure of key services and supports for services and supports for people with a disability, chronic illness or age‐related dependency. This caused huge disruption to care provision and family carers were relied upon to assume this care at home. Many family carers, including those in employment, found themselves navigating additional care responsibilities without 'usual levels' of support from family, friends, work, school, day care services, homecare and community services. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on family carers, their employment and care‐giving responsibilities, through the lens of the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory (Hobfoll, 1989). Adopting a qualitative research approach, 16 family carers (14 females, 2 males) who were in employment prior to the onset of or during the pandemic, participated in an in‐depth, semi‐structured telephone or online video interview between June and September 2020. Interviews lasted between 45 and 100 min, were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis of the interview data identified four main themes: colliding worlds; navigating unchartered waters alone; opportunity despite adversity and the relentless unknowing. Findings indicate that the onset of the pandemic resulted in the sudden loss of valued resources, which disrupted routines and caused care and work life domains to become intrinsically intertwined. Consistent with the main principles of the COR theory, adapting and transitioning to different ways of working and caring with depleted resources and supports, generated considerable stress for family carers and impacted their well‐being. The implications for employers, healthcare providers, policy makers and other key stakeholders are considered, to enable family carers to successfully reconcile work with care and protect their well‐being, as the pandemic continues to unfold and in the event of future societal crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) uses videoconferencing technology to support and train healthcare professionals (HCPs) remotely. A 4‐month fortnightly ECHO programme was developed and implemented to enhance palliative care provision by primary care therapists. Teaching and case‐based discussions were facilitated by palliative care specialists. A mixed‐methods cohort study was used to evaluate the project. ECHO participants completed pre‐ and post‐programme questionnaires regarding their knowledge and skills across key palliative care domains. Focus groups were held before programme commencement to explore participants' attitudes and experiences of palliative care and after programme conclusion to explore their experiences of ECHO. Twenty‐six primary care HCPs commenced the ECHO programme. Mean scores in self‐rated confidence in knowledge and skill improved significantly (p <.002) following the programme. Twenty‐one primary care HCPs completed the post‐ECHO surveys and scores of self‐rated confidence in knowledge and skills were significantly higher than pre‐ECHO scores. Ninety‐five percent of participants (n = 19) reported ECHO met their learning needs and was an effective format to enhance clinical knowledge. Eighty‐five percent of participants (n = 17) would recommend ECHO to their colleagues. Project ECHO improved palliative care knowledge and skills of primary care HCPs in Ireland, with potential to address the growing need for integrated palliative care services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the mobilization of nurses/midwives in a designated hospital group in Ireland during a global pandemic. Background: The recent global pandemic has resulted in the large‐scale worldwide mobilization of registered nurses and midwives working in the acute care sector. There is a dearth of literature reporting the mobilization of this professional workforce. Method: Mixed‐methods design using an electronic survey and facilitated discussion across one Irish hospital group. Results: Eight of 11 hospitals responded to the survey. There was a 2% vacancy rate prior to the pandemic. Mobilization included reconfiguration of clinical areas and redeployment of 9% of the nursing/midwifery workforce within 2 weeks of the pandemic. A total of 11% (n = 343) of nurses/midwives were redeployed in 3 months. Nurses/midwives required re‐skilling in infection prevention control, enhancement of critical care skills and documentation. Conclusions: Three key areas were identified to enable the nursing workforce readiness. These are referred to as the three 'R's': Reconfiguration of specific resources, Redeployment of nurses to dedicated specialist areas and Re‐skilling of nurses to safely care for the patients during the pandemic. Implications for Nursing Management: A centralized approach to reconfiguration of clinical areas.Redeployment is enabled by closing non‐essential departments.Hands‐on re‐skilling and reorientating staff are essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]