Authors (including presenting author) :
Kwok CY (Presenting Author) (1,2,4), Pun HY (1,2,4), Tang WS (1), Chan CC (3), Tsoh MY (3), Cheung SY (1), Wong SM (3), Sze YM (1), Ngai WC (5), Chan WM (1), Chan SF (1), Cheung CL (1), Ho YS (1), Lam CM (1), Tsang KW (1), Cheng ST (2), Fung WY (2), Wong PS (2), Chui CM (2), Ho KY (2)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Shatin Hospital, (2) Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing, Hong Kong, (3) Department of Psychiatry, Shatin Hospital, (4) Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, (5) Department of Psychogeriatric, Shatin Hospital
Keyword 2: :
Meaningful engagement
Keyword 5: :
Non-pharmaceutical intervention
Keyword 6: :
Medical-Social Collaboration
Introduction :
Hospitalisation is prevalent among people with cognitive impairment, while it is associated with higher mortality rate, prolonged stay, and physical and cognitive deconditioning. Non-pharmaceutical intervention promoting positive well-being may improve the overall well-being of inpatients with cognitive impairment; however, heavy hospital staff workload limits the capacity of intervention delivery.
Objectives :
This study investigates the effectiveness of a medical-social collaboration model in hospital setting to improve the well-being of people with cognitive impairment for better post-discharge care, by (1) Evaluating the feasibility of manipulating social-sector partnerships to relieve the caregiving burden; (2) Assessing the impact of the intervention on addressing delirium and functional decline during hospitalization; and (3) Enhancing the transition to home by improving caregiver confidence and reducing readmissions.
Methodology :
This study adopts a mixed research design comprising single-arm pretest-posttest study design, observational study design, and cross-sectional survey design. 250 inpatients with cognitive impairment admitted to a hospital in Hong Kong, their family care partners, and 30 hospital staff will be recruited. The intervention, adapted from the Tailored Activity Program for Hospitalised Patients, comprises two 1-hour sessions over two weeks, focusing on positive psychosocial activities such as art therapy, music therapy, and reminiscence, delivered by NGO staff to avoid burdening hospital personnel. Care partners receive two sessions of support for post-discharge needs. Primary research outcome is quality of life of the inpatients with cognitive impairment; secondary outcomes include agitation, delirium changes, hospital stay length, and care partner self-efficacy. Data will be collected via interviews, intervention observation, and from medical records. The research started from June 2025, lasting for 48 months.
Result & Outcome :
The results are anticipated to provide evidence to the intervention effect on reducing negative outcomes such as delirium and agitation, fostering positive outcomes such as caregiving competence, and to explore the feasibility of incorporating this medical-social collaboration model in hospital setting for better synergy between pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions. This innovative model leverages NGO expertise for in-hospital therapy, potentially stabilising the condition of inpatients with cognitive impairment, promoting ageing in place and facilitating scalable collaboration without straining medical resources.
