SPARC seminar: Experiences of carers of people with long term conditions

Caroline White writes:

A SPARC research event held on 2 May 2019 explored the experiences of carers (partners, family and friends) of people with long term conditions. The event introduced recent research conducted by staff within the Faculty of Health Sciences and HYMS, and facilitated a discussion of future research needs and knowledge gaps in this area. It was attended by University of Hull researchers, social care practitioners and carers.

Presentations focused on carers who support:

• People living with rheumatoid arthritis (Paul Whybrow)
• People with mental health needs in acute mental health settings (Jane Wray)
• People with lung cancer (Paula Gawthorpe)
• Relatives or friends living at a distance (Caroline White and Clare Whitfield)

A presentation on the potential role of technology in supporting carers to maintain contact with relatives living in care homes was also given (Sonam Zamir, University of Plymouth). A follow up seminar to further explore future research directions is planned.