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Jessica Xie and Cini Bhanu Department Webinar, 7th October, 1pm.
Jessica Xie
Title:
Not Quite a Doctor, but Should I help? A Qualitative Exploration of Medical Students’ Attitudes Towards Responding to Medical Emergencies that Occur in the Public Domain
Abstract:
The literature suggests that UK medical students’ lack confidence in their abilities to provide assistance in medical emergencies. In this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with UCL medical students to explore their views on and experiences of responding to out-of-hospital medical emergencies. Students believed they have ethical and/or professional obligations to respond to medical emergencies, but they did not always feel knowledgeable or confident about this, and this related strongly to their prior experience and training. Integrating students’ suggestions on how to improve medical school training (for example, more simulation training) into the current curriculum could address their learning needs and increase confidence.
Cini Bhanu
Title:
‘I’ve never drunk very much water and I still don’t, and I see no reason to do so’: a qualitative study of the views of community-dwelling older people and carers on hydration in later life
Abstract:
Background
Dehydration is associated with significant adverse outcomes in older people despite being largely preventable and treatable. Little research has focused on the views of community-dwelling older people on hydration, healthy drinking and the perceived importance of drinking well in later life.
Objectives
To understand community-dwelling older people and informal carers’ views on hydration in later life and how older people can be supported to drink well. Methods qualitative study using interviews and a focus group exploring hydration and nutrition in later life (24 older people at risk of malnutrition and dehydration, 9 informal carers) and thematic analysis.
Results
This article presents the findings on hydration alone. Four themes are presented: perceptions of healthy drinking, barriers to and facilitators of drinking in later life and supporting older people to drink well. The perceived importance of adequate hydration in later life was polarised. Concerns about urinary incontinence and knowledge gaps were significant barriers. Consideration of individual taste preference and functional capacity acted as facilitators. Distinct habitual drinking patterns with medications and meals exist within individuals. Many relied on thirst at other times or when fluid demands are greater (such as hot weather), a known unreliable prompt in later life.
Conclusions
Older people could be supported to drink well by building upon existing habitual drinking patterns. Primary care and public health should consider individual barriers, facilitators and tailored education. A multidisciplinary approach to promote hydration should be incorporated into care for older people with more complex needs.