Conducting adult social care research in the United Kingdom – impacts of challenges to study processes on study feasibility.

Joanne M Fitzpatrick; Peter R Worsley; Chris Chatterton; Mandy Fader; Tanya Graham; Christine Norton; Susan Woodward; Ruth Harris

Conducting adult social care research in the United Kingdom – impacts of challenges to study processes on study feasibility.

Joanne M Fitzpatrick^*, Peter R Worsley, Chris Chatterton, Mandy Fader, Tanya Graham, Christine Norton, Susan Woodward, Ruth Harris

^*Corresponding author for this work

Care in Long Term Conditions

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Abstract

The challenges of conducting adult social care research in the United Kingdom have long been documented. Calls have been made repeatedly for greater financial investment in social care research, an aligned research infrastructure including the recruitment of study sites and participants, support for a research culture, and enabling capacity for the sector to participate in research. Ultimately these strategies should support researchers to investigate important practice issues that are identified and developed in collaboration with social care, aiming to continue to enhance wellbeing and quality of life for adults with health and care needs.
Our commentary is referenced to a feasibility cluster randomised trial to address the high prevalence of incontinence and the prevention and treatment of incontinence associated dermatitis for adults living at home who are receiving homecare services and for adults living in long-term care facilities. This study commenced in 2020 and completed in 2025, a two-year delay because of challenges and protractions, despite innovative solutions throughout the research study which we share in this commentary. We conclude that despite its unequivocal importance, conducting adult social care research and particularly using trial methodologies in the United Kingdom warrants further changes. These should be systemic and happen at pace.

Original language	English
Journal	Age and Ageing
Publication status	Accepted/In press - 14 May 2025

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Accepted version- PREVENT-IAD Age & AgeingAccepted author manuscript, 35.1 KBLicence: CC BY

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Skin cleansers and leave-on product interventions for preventing incontinence-associated dermatitis in adults
Graham, T., Beeckman, D., Kottner, J., Fader, M., Fiorentino, F., Fitzpatrick, J. M., Gray, M., Harris, R., Sooriah, S., Wallace, S. A., Worsley, P. & Woodward, S., 14 May 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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title = "Conducting adult social care research in the United Kingdom – impacts of challenges to study processes on study feasibility.",

abstract = "The challenges of conducting adult social care research in the United Kingdom have long been documented. Calls have been made repeatedly for greater financial investment in social care research, an aligned research infrastructure including the recruitment of study sites and participants, support for a research culture, and enabling capacity for the sector to participate in research. Ultimately these strategies should support researchers to investigate important practice issues that are identified and developed in collaboration with social care, aiming to continue to enhance wellbeing and quality of life for adults with health and care needs. Our commentary is referenced to a feasibility cluster randomised trial to address the high prevalence of incontinence and the prevention and treatment of incontinence associated dermatitis for adults living at home who are receiving homecare services and for adults living in long-term care facilities. This study commenced in 2020 and completed in 2025, a two-year delay because of challenges and protractions, despite innovative solutions throughout the research study which we share in this commentary. We conclude that despite its unequivocal importance, conducting adult social care research and particularly using trial methodologies in the United Kingdom warrants further changes. These should be systemic and happen at pace.",

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AU - Norton, Christine

AU - Woodward, Susan

AU - Harris, Ruth

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AB - The challenges of conducting adult social care research in the United Kingdom have long been documented. Calls have been made repeatedly for greater financial investment in social care research, an aligned research infrastructure including the recruitment of study sites and participants, support for a research culture, and enabling capacity for the sector to participate in research. Ultimately these strategies should support researchers to investigate important practice issues that are identified and developed in collaboration with social care, aiming to continue to enhance wellbeing and quality of life for adults with health and care needs. Our commentary is referenced to a feasibility cluster randomised trial to address the high prevalence of incontinence and the prevention and treatment of incontinence associated dermatitis for adults living at home who are receiving homecare services and for adults living in long-term care facilities. This study commenced in 2020 and completed in 2025, a two-year delay because of challenges and protractions, despite innovative solutions throughout the research study which we share in this commentary. We conclude that despite its unequivocal importance, conducting adult social care research and particularly using trial methodologies in the United Kingdom warrants further changes. These should be systemic and happen at pace.

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Conducting adult social care research in the United Kingdom – impacts of challenges to study processes on study feasibility.

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Research output

Skin cleansers and leave-on product interventions for preventing incontinence-associated dermatitis in adults

Cite this