Piloting a minimum data set (MDS) in english care homes: a qualitative study of professional perspectives on implementation and data use

Abstract Background Digitalisation within English care homes offers potential to make more effective use of substantial data collected by staff during care planning and recording. A pilot minimum data set was co-designed with stakeholders based on two digital care records with additional structured...

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Main Authors: Rachael E. Carroll, Nick Smith, Sinead ER Palmer, Jennifer Kirsty Burton, Adam Lee Gordon, Ann-Marie Towers, Stacey E. Rand, Freya Tracey, Anne Killett, Lucy Webster, Barbara Hanratty, Karen Spilsbury, Gizdem Akdur, Kaat De Corte, Julienne E. Meyer, Liz Jones, Claire Goodman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Geriatrics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06260-6
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author Rachael E. Carroll
Nick Smith
Sinead ER Palmer
Jennifer Kirsty Burton
Adam Lee Gordon
Ann-Marie Towers
Stacey E. Rand
Freya Tracey
Anne Killett
Lucy Webster
Barbara Hanratty
Karen Spilsbury
Gizdem Akdur
Kaat De Corte
Julienne E. Meyer
Liz Jones
Claire Goodman
author_facet Rachael E. Carroll
Nick Smith
Sinead ER Palmer
Jennifer Kirsty Burton
Adam Lee Gordon
Ann-Marie Towers
Stacey E. Rand
Freya Tracey
Anne Killett
Lucy Webster
Barbara Hanratty
Karen Spilsbury
Gizdem Akdur
Kaat De Corte
Julienne E. Meyer
Liz Jones
Claire Goodman
author_sort Rachael E. Carroll
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Digitalisation within English care homes offers potential to make more effective use of substantial data collected by staff during care planning and recording. A pilot minimum data set was co-designed with stakeholders based on two digital care records with additional structured measures. Our objectives were to explore (1) care home staff opinions and experiences of collecting structured measures of quality of life, cognition and function for residents and (2) how a minimum data set data might be used by staff and other professionals interested in care homes. Methods Between June and October 2023 focus groups and interviews involving care home staff and Integrated Care System participants from three regions of England were undertaken. Integrated Care System staff work externally from care homes and support commissioning of services for care homes and reviewing data. We used a semi-structured topic guide. Two waves of care home focus groups were conducted after each wave of minimum data set data capture. A single wave of focus groups/interviews were undertaken with Integrated Care System participants. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to develop themes. Results Twenty-four staff from 22 care homes and 16 staff from 15 care homes participated in five wave one and four wave two focus groups respectively. Ten Integrated Care System participants from two of three study regions participated in one focus group (seven participants) and three individual interviews. Three themes were developed: the care home context and the importance of a minimum data set for care, appropriateness and relevance of quality of life measures to resident care, and data quality and purpose. Conclusions Care home staff can collect structured measures on resident quality of life, function and cognition using digital care records to contribute to a minimum data set. The data generated can inform and enhance resident care. However, implementation is an evolving process requiring support, trust-building and confidence among those collecting and interpreting data and incorporation as part of routine care.
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spelling doaj-art-948ff313e275446d8af2b789e784e85e2025-08-20T04:02:56ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182025-08-0125111410.1186/s12877-025-06260-6Piloting a minimum data set (MDS) in english care homes: a qualitative study of professional perspectives on implementation and data useRachael E. Carroll0Nick Smith1Sinead ER Palmer2Jennifer Kirsty Burton3Adam Lee Gordon4Ann-Marie Towers5Stacey E. Rand6Freya Tracey7Anne Killett8Lucy Webster9Barbara Hanratty10Karen Spilsbury11Gizdem Akdur12Kaat De Corte13Julienne E. Meyer14Liz Jones15Claire Goodman16Unit of Injury, Inflammation and Recovery Sciences, School of Medicine, University of NottinghamCentre for Health Services Studies, University of KentPersonal Social Services Research Unit, University of KentAcademic Geriatric Medicine, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of GlasgowUnit of Injury, Inflammation and Recovery Sciences, School of Medicine, University of NottinghamCentre for Health Services Studies, University of KentPersonal Social Services Research Unit, University of KentThe Health FoundationSchool of Health Sciences, University of East AngliaCentre for Health Services Studies, University of KentPopulation Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle UniversitySchool of Healthcare, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of LeedsCentre for Research in Public health and Community Care, University of HertfordshireThe Health FoundationNational Care ForumNational Care ForumNIHR Applied Research Collaboration East of EnglandAbstract Background Digitalisation within English care homes offers potential to make more effective use of substantial data collected by staff during care planning and recording. A pilot minimum data set was co-designed with stakeholders based on two digital care records with additional structured measures. Our objectives were to explore (1) care home staff opinions and experiences of collecting structured measures of quality of life, cognition and function for residents and (2) how a minimum data set data might be used by staff and other professionals interested in care homes. Methods Between June and October 2023 focus groups and interviews involving care home staff and Integrated Care System participants from three regions of England were undertaken. Integrated Care System staff work externally from care homes and support commissioning of services for care homes and reviewing data. We used a semi-structured topic guide. Two waves of care home focus groups were conducted after each wave of minimum data set data capture. A single wave of focus groups/interviews were undertaken with Integrated Care System participants. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to develop themes. Results Twenty-four staff from 22 care homes and 16 staff from 15 care homes participated in five wave one and four wave two focus groups respectively. Ten Integrated Care System participants from two of three study regions participated in one focus group (seven participants) and three individual interviews. Three themes were developed: the care home context and the importance of a minimum data set for care, appropriateness and relevance of quality of life measures to resident care, and data quality and purpose. Conclusions Care home staff can collect structured measures on resident quality of life, function and cognition using digital care records to contribute to a minimum data set. The data generated can inform and enhance resident care. However, implementation is an evolving process requiring support, trust-building and confidence among those collecting and interpreting data and incorporation as part of routine care.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06260-6Care homesMinimum data setQuality of lifeMeasuresImplementation
spellingShingle Rachael E. Carroll
Nick Smith
Sinead ER Palmer
Jennifer Kirsty Burton
Adam Lee Gordon
Ann-Marie Towers
Stacey E. Rand
Freya Tracey
Anne Killett
Lucy Webster
Barbara Hanratty
Karen Spilsbury
Gizdem Akdur
Kaat De Corte
Julienne E. Meyer
Liz Jones
Claire Goodman
Piloting a minimum data set (MDS) in english care homes: a qualitative study of professional perspectives on implementation and data use
BMC Geriatrics
Care homes
Minimum data set
Quality of life
Measures
Implementation
title Piloting a minimum data set (MDS) in english care homes: a qualitative study of professional perspectives on implementation and data use
title_full Piloting a minimum data set (MDS) in english care homes: a qualitative study of professional perspectives on implementation and data use
title_fullStr Piloting a minimum data set (MDS) in english care homes: a qualitative study of professional perspectives on implementation and data use
title_full_unstemmed Piloting a minimum data set (MDS) in english care homes: a qualitative study of professional perspectives on implementation and data use
title_short Piloting a minimum data set (MDS) in english care homes: a qualitative study of professional perspectives on implementation and data use
title_sort piloting a minimum data set mds in english care homes a qualitative study of professional perspectives on implementation and data use
topic Care homes
Minimum data set
Quality of life
Measures
Implementation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06260-6
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