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Developing workable research methods: Lessons from a pilot study with vulnerable participants and complex assessments

Jones, S.E.; Hamilton, S.; Perry, L.; O'Malley, C.; Halton, C.

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Authors

S.E. Jones

S. Hamilton

L. Perry

C. Halton



Abstract

Following acute stroke, deterioration in nutritional status and weight loss is common; few studies have investigated this, perhaps due to difficulties with recruitment and completion of complex assessments with stroke patients. This study reports the feasibility of a study protocol to determine predictors of nutritional intake in stroke patients. The aim of the study was to test the feasibility of a protocol to measure taste and smell function, and explore links with dietary intake following stroke. Patients were recruited from one Acute Stroke Unit in 2007/8. Data were collected at three time-points and entailed standardised validated assessments of taste and smell function, diet, appetite and mood state. Recruitment of this vulnerable population to a demanding assessment schedule was challenging. Of a cohort of 166 admissions, six were recruited and complete data collected from four participants. Slow recruitment was largely due to exacting inclusion criteria and rapid hospital discharge. Those who completed all assessments reported the schedule as tolerable and acceptable. This study illustrated the difficulties of recruiting this vulnerable population. Identification of reasons for slow recruitment facilitated development of measures to address them. It was possible to format a complex and lengthy assessment schedule to be acceptable to vulnerable participants.

Citation

Jones, S., Hamilton, S., Perry, L., O'Malley, C., & Halton, C. (2011). Developing workable research methods: Lessons from a pilot study with vulnerable participants and complex assessments. Journal of Research in Nursing, 16(4), 307-318. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987110380335

Journal Article Type Article
Online Publication Date Sep 3, 2010
Publication Date 2011-07
Deposit Date Sep 27, 2010
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Journal of Research in Nursing
Print ISSN 1744-9871
Electronic ISSN 1744-988X
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 16
Issue 4
Pages 307-318
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987110380335
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1539560

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Copyright Statement
The final definitive version of this article has been published in the Journal Journal of research in nursing 16/4 2011 © SAGE Publications Ltd by SAGE Publications Ltd at the Journal of research in nursing page: http://jrn.sagepub.com/ on SAGE Journals Online: http://online.sagepub.com/




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