The feasibility of the enhancing medicines self-management for community dwelling people living with dementia and family carers (MAGNET) psychosocial intervention: protocol for a non-randomised feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Medicines management for people with dementia is a global health priority. Cognitive difficulties, such as memory problems, can impact safe and effective medicines management. With appropriate support, people with mild-moderate dementia can self-manage medicines, with and without family. People with dementia can enhance medicines safety by building resilience into their medicines management system through their ability to respond, learn, monitor and anticipate. Medicines self-management interventions have more often focused on adherence as opposed to other experiences, such as knowledge of medicines, though psychosocial interventions have addressed other components of medicines self-management. Co-design approaches draw on the person's experience. A co-designed resilience-enhancing psychosocial intervention for medicines self-management for community-dwelling people living with dementia and with or without family carers (MAGNET) was developed. This protocol describes a study aiming to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the MAGNET intervention. METHODS: Study objectives are to assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the MAGNET intervention in preparation for a randomised controlled trial; to develop materials for estimating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the intervention in a randomised controlled trial, and to assess the feasibility and acceptability of collecting data using these materials. This is a non-randomised feasibility study. Seventy-two people living with dementia and their family carers will be recruited to the study and receive the MAGNET intervention. The intervention involves an 8-week community-based medicines self-management programme involving a 'Managing My Medicines' guide for people living with dementia and carers, and a medicines self-management professional's guide to support implementation by trained professionals. Methods of evaluation include questionnaires and interviews with people living with dementia, family carers and professionals. Intervention delivery will be observed. Quantitative and qualitative data will be completed at baseline, end month 1, end month 2, and post intervention. The evaluation will be underpinned by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). DISCUSSION: This study will indicate whether the MAGNET intervention is feasible and acceptable. If the study findings support feasibility and acceptability, then we will seek further funding for the development and implementation of a randomised controlled trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN 15712227.