Experiences of health care personnel in promoting a sense of home for older adults living in residential care facilities: a qualitative systematic review protocol.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review is to evaluate the experiences of health care personnel in promoting a sense of home for older adults living in residential care facilities.

INTRODUCTION

Moving to a residential care facility represents a critical moment for older adults as it disrupts their life and distances them from significant people and objects in their life. Health care personnel working in residential care facilities can assist residents by promoting a feeling of being at home for these residents. There is a lack of qualitative evidence reporting the experiences of health care personnel with regards to promoting a sense of home for older adults living in residential care facilities.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

This review will consider qualitative studies that explore the experiences of health care personnel in promoting a sense of home for people aged 65 years and over living in residential care facilities, including, but not limited to, nursing homes, residential care homes, retirement homes, assisted-living facilities, and skilled nursing facilities.

METHODS

The review will use a meta-aggregation approach following the JBI methodology for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence. MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science databases will be searched, together with Google Scholar, OpenGrey, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. Studies published in English, Italian, French, Portuguese, and Spanish will be included. Qualitative findings will be pooled using the JBI System for the Unified Management, Assessment and Review of Information. Methodological quality will be evaluated using the standard JBI critical appraisal checklist for qualitative research. The ConQual approach will be used to assess the confidence in the findings.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42020214383.