The studies which make up our project.
The MINIMEDs Project
MINIMEDs is a project (or you can also say “a PhD fellowship”) which is made up of 4 different parts. They work like building blocks. Each builds on what we learnt from the previous block. We start by looking at what we know already, then we will then learn in more detail about how families give medicines to their children at home, and finally we will agree what types of support families need to learn how to use medicines safely.
This is a document which gives a short summary of the research.
What are we going to do?
Literature Review
Qualitative Evidence Synthesis
(Specifically a Framework Synthesis)
Plain English Explanation:
Looking for all the knowledge out there already about the experiences of parents’ and carers’ who give medicines to their children at home.
Study 1
Qualitative Longitudinal Study with Families
Plain English Explanation:
We will travel with families on their journey going home from hospital with medicines. We will learn how they get on with their medicines. And learn what worked for them, and what didn’t work. We will ask them how things should be changed for future families.
Study 2
Qualitative Interview study with Professionals.
Plain English Explanation:
We will talk to healthcare professionals about what they think families have to do with their medicines. We will ask them what they think works and doesn’t work with supporting families to use medicines at home.
Study 3
Co-design workshops to decide how to improve support with medicines for families
Plain English Explanation:
We will get together in a room and talk about what we learnt from the literature review, Study 1 and Study 2. We will agree what things are like at the moment, and how they should be improved.
What will happen at the end?
After these studies are complete (in 2027), we will then have to apply for more funding to continue the work.
This is likely to be a large study with many families and hospitals involved. It will likely involve families and professionals testing a new way of providing support to families. This may involve counselling, follow-up (e.g. pharmacy visiting families at home), training (e.g. simulation/practicing with medicines), or perhaps a new thing we have not thought of yet!
Please don’t hesitate to join us by signing up for the newsletter, joining the parent advisory group, joining our list of parent advisors, or joining one of the studies if you are eligible. The more people that help the project, the bigger and stronger it will be!
MINIMEDs 