ORCID

Abstract

AbstractContext: There are more than 400,000 people living in just over 17,000 care homes in the UK. Nevertheless, the quantity of care home research taking place in these settings is limited. This has led to a knowledge gap that impacts on care home practices, resident health outcomes, and the development of policy.Objectives: The objective of this rapid review is to explore what is known about the research culture within care homes, identify any barriers and facilitators to research, and provide evidence to inform future care home research practices.Methods: This rapid review was performed in accordance with the Cochrane Rapid Review Methods Group (RRMG) interim guidance. Literature was searched across six electronic databases, the Cochrane Library, and a grey literature search. A narrative synthesis approach was used for analysis.Findings: Twenty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria. Seven barriers and seven facilitators to research in care homes were identified. These included gatekeeping behaviours, and the need for good working relationships between researchers and care homes.Limitations: International articles were included in this review. However, the majority of articles were fully or partly completed in the UK. International diversity in care home provision and research governance means there needs to be some caution in applying these findings.Implications: The identification of the barriers and facilitators to research in care homes provides evidence to inform research practice, enhance access, and improve the facilitation and application of research in these settings. Increasing research in care homes will support the development of new knowledge and evidence to inform care policy and practice. This will not only benefit the residents of care homes, but also those who work with them.

DOI

10.31389/jltc.277

Publication Date

2025-02-12

Publication Title

Journal of Long-Term Care

First Page

41

Last Page

54

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