November 15, 2024
Keio University
A research group from Keio University, including Shinya Mitani (Ph.D. program, Nursing major, Graduate School of Health Management) and Professor Hiroki Fukahori (Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care), has summarized the findings from 54 papers that examine solutions for psychosocial issues in older adults related to health, medical, and welfare services using realist evaluation.
Realist evaluation is a social science research method based on realism, which originates from the British philosopher Roy Bhaskar, and is widely used, especially in Europe. This realist evaluation is considered useful for the development, evaluation, improvement, and dissemination of solutions to psychosocial issues influenced by complex factors, as well as for policy-making. The reason for this is that it is a method that not only focuses on the outcomes of a solution but also clarifies the contexts in which it is effective and the mechanisms required to produce positive results. The research group undertook this study with the belief that promoting the development of solutions using realist evaluation would be effective in Japan and Asia, where complex issues are mounting due to aging populations, including changes in family structures and an increase in older adults with dementia.
Through this study, the research group pointed out that conducting a thorough evaluation to examine solutions for the psychosocial issues of older adults using realist evaluation requires significant professional human resources and funding. It is expected that this study will serve as foundational material for future examinations of solutions for the psychosocial issues faced by older adults using realist evaluation.
The research group is composed of Assistant Professor Hirofumi Okawara of Sophia University, Professor Tetsuya Sakakibara of Tokyo Woman's Christian University, and Professor Atsushi Haruta of Keio University. The research findings were published on August 30, 2024, in the academic journal *BMJ Open*.
For the full press release, please see below.