Relocation of hospitalized older people to long-term care homes following a recent loss of functional independence : a scoping review protocol

Abstract

Background. Many older people who experience a loss of functional independence, following a hospitalization must move to a long-term care home. These transitions are often unexpected and can have significant consequences. Several studies have explored different aspects of these transitions, but no knowledge synthesis addressing this phenomenon has been identified. Aim. Our aim is to map available knowledge about the relocation of older people from the hospital to a long-term care home, following a decline in health and loss of functional independence. Methods. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Manual, a scoping review will be conducted of the relocation of older people, aged 65 and over, from the hospital to a long-term care home. It will also include the perspectives of stakeholders involved in this process. We will search seven databases and gray literature, as well as conduct a retrospective search. Documents published since 2004 and from all countries will be included. The search will be limited to English and French texts. After a calibration exercise, records will be selected by two independent researchers in duplicate, first by title and abstract, and then by full text. Data extraction and quality assessment will be conducted according to the JBI Manual. Analysis of evidence will consist in content analysis and descriptive statistics. Results will be presented by means of charts, graphs, and narrative descriptions. Discussion. Our findings will help to identify areas of research that should be developed in order to gain insight into the process of integrating a long-term care home from a hospital.