Browsing by Person "Howden, Stella"

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A multi-disciplinary framework and rapid assessment tool for developmental co-ordination disorder services.
(2009-08) Forsyth, Kirsty; Maciver, Donald; Howden, Stella; Owen, Christine; Shepherd, C.; Rush, Robert
A prospective qualitative exploration of views about attending pulmonary rehabilitation
(Wiley, 2009-02-04) Bulley, Catherine; Donaghy, Marie; Howden, Stella; Salisbury, Lisa; Whiteford, Suzanne; Mackay, Elaine
Background and Purpose. Pulmonary rehabilitation has been found to be an effective strategy for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, attendance at such programmes is not optimal, therefore, this study aimed to develop an in-depth understanding of views regarding attendance at pulmonary rehabilitation and experiences which may have shaped these views. Methods. An inductive qualitative study was carried out within the framework of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Five female and four male individuals with COPD who had been referred for pulmonary rehabilitation participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were conducted prior to participation in pulmonary rehabilitation. Results. Three main themes were identified that related to views about attending pulmonary rehabilitation. The first is entitled Desired benefits of attending pulmonary rehabilitation, which described realistic hopes about impact on daily life. The second theme was called Evaluating the threat of exercise, and it encompassed both positive and negative evaluations; some interviewees described fear and avoidance of exercise, while others were determined to overcome symptoms. These attitudes extended to views about pulmonary rehabilitation. The third theme was called Attributing value to pulmonary rehabilitation. Contrasting opinions about the value of attending pulmonary rehabilitation appeared to be influenced by the nature of prior interactions with health personnel and systems as well as information about the programme provided at referral. The referrer's attitude towards pulmonary rehabilitation appeared to be particularly influential. Conclusion. In summary, when considering rehabilitation attendance, potential participants are able to identify possible benefits, but previous experiences of symptoms and attitudes towards their condition can influence views both positively and negatively. Information and enthusiasm conveyed by the referring clinician, as well as previous interactions with health professionals can have powerful impact on views about attending. Referral practices should be informative and enthusiastic to increase the likelihood of uptake. Copyright 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developmental Co-ordination disorder: supporting professionals to provide evidence based care.
(2009-03) Forsyth, Kirsty; Maciver, Donald; Howden, Stella; Owen, Christine; Shepherd, C.; Rush, Robert
Developmental Coordination Disorder: A synthesis of evidence to underpin an allied health professions' framework
(Taylor & Francis, 2008-06) Forsyth, Kirsty; Maciver, Donald; Howden, Stella; Owen, Christine; Shepherd, C.
Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) lack the motor coordination necessary to perform tasks considered appropriate for their age, given normal intellectual ability and the absence of other neurological disorders. DCD is a common childhood disorder that can develop into a long-term condition that has a significant impact on society. A key method of managing DCD is through the assessment and interventions of allied health professionals (AHPs). To date, no integrated AHP framework for the assessment and treatment of DCD exists. The present article illustrates the methods used to synthesise multiple data sources (policy, scientific evidence, service user views and AHP perspectives) by a multidisciplinary group of AHP researchers and practitioners. Through this process a series of principles of good practice were identified, and then developed into a framework for AHPs working with children with DCD. In this article the methodology used to enable synthesis from different evidence sources will be presented, as will the resultant framework. The findings will then be discussed within the current literature emphasising the importance of health/education partnership in the support and management of these children.
Evaluating a strategy to assist undergraduate healthcare students to gain insights into the value of interprofessional education experiences from recently qualified healthcare professionals
(Health Sciences and Practice Subject Centre, 2011) Howden, Stella; Cable, Stuart; Al Harrasi, S.; Dhomun, L.; Duffy, B.; Jessa, F.; Lamont, J.; McCormick, A.; McLean, L.; Selfridge, A.
Numerous studies have highlighted the complexity of preparing undergraduate healthcare professional for interprofessional practice (Reeves, et all 2007). A significant challenge is one of perceived relevance of undergraduates in relating interprofessional education experiences to the realities of practice (Johnson 2005). Longitudinal survey indicate the importance of the readiness of different groups of students to learn (Coster et al 2008). Thus if student s can gain insights into the purpose and application of interprofessional education to their future practice from those who have recently gone before they may be more willing to engage with such learning opportunities. This exploratory pilot study aimed to evaluate a strategy designed to assist undergraduate healthcare students to gain insights from recently qualified healthcare professionals into the value of pre-registration Interprofessional Education (IPE) experiences. The secondary aims of the study were to enable participating undergraduate healthcare students develop research skills and to examine how the views from the healthcare professionals could inform the development of pre-registration IPE.
I still can't tie my shoelaces: Developmental Co-ordination Disorder: a review of evidence and models of practice employed by allied health professionals in Scotland.
(NHS Scotland, 2008) Forsyth, Kirsty; Maciver, Donald; Howden, Stella; Owen, Christine; Shepherd, C.
Identification of a common language describing paediatric physiotherapy practice for children with additional support needs, to support communication with those outside the physiotherapy profession.
(Elsevier Science B.V. Amsterdam, 2013-03) Hunter, Cathleen; Maciver, Donald; Howden, Stella; Forsyth, Kirsty; Adamson, Amanda; Bremner, Lynne
Children with additional support needs (ASNs) often require physiotherapy intervention to help maximise their participation within the primary school setting. The aim of this research was to investigate paediatric physiotherapy practice in supporting primary school aged children with ASNs, in order to identify a language to describe this, which could be used to support communication with teachers, parents and others outside the profession. Design Using a qualitative research multiple methods design, 2 focus groups and 5 structured interviews were held to investigate physiotherapy practice for this group. Participants Senior paediatric physiotherapists (n=13) from a range of specialities, with experience of supporting primary school aged children with ASNs. Analysis Focus groups and interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed to establish links and patterns: followed by a cyclical process of respondent validation, and expert review. Results Eight targets for physiotherapy intervention and twelve technique headings were synthesised from the data. The language used for labelling and description of these was aimed to be easily understood by colleagues outside the profession. Conclusions The findings clearly identified the role of the paediatric physiotherapist as being to support primary school aged children with ASNs to acquire aspects of postural control, mobility and cardio-respiratory function. By grouping the data into eight areas of challenge as the focus of intervention, and twelve commonly used techniques, the researchers generated a language which can be used by paediatric physiotherapists to support communication with teachers, parents and others outside the profession, when describing their intent and interactions regarding these children. Keywords: Physiotherapy, paediatrics, intervention, communication, primary-school, education
Influences on physiotherapists when deciding to study at Masters level: An exploratory study
(2008) Glover, Peter; Bulley, Catherine; Howden, Stella
Within the physiotherapy profession, there are increasing expectations in relation to specialization and life-long learning. This has led to increasing prominence of Masters level study as a route for professional development. Despite this, little is known regarding the thought processes of physiotherapists in relation to postqualification study. This qualitative study aimed to explore the influences on physiotherapists when deciding to undertake taught Masters level study. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with nine physiotherapists in two Scottish Higher Education institutions. Thematic analysis highlighted motivators and barriers that were intrinsic and extrinsic to the individual. Physiotherapists were strongly influenced by the desire to develop professionally, but had to overcome barriers such as lack of confidence to study at this level and lack of familiarity with the context and content of Masters level study. Findings suggest that increasing the familiarity of clinicians with aspects of Masters education would facilitate them in their decision to undertake postqualification study. Increasing early support strategies for Masters students would enable them to gain confidence and continue with their studies.
Interprofessional Education: Integrating evidence of learning from online discussions into a reflective written assignment.
(2009-11-27) Howden, Stella; Bulley, Catherine
InterprofessionalEducation (IPE) is delivered across all years of several undergraduate healthcare programmes. In Year 3 students work in small interprofessionalgroups to interview a client about their experience of interactions with multiple healthcare professions, culminating in a present ion of a critical analysis of the client's healthcare journey. The groups also take part in 15 weeks of online learning activities -related to interprofessionalissues.
Pain and Rheumatoid arthritis
(Rodopi, 2008) Howden, Stella; Kalitzkus, Vera; Twohig, Peter L.
Book overview: The studies of the human being in health and illness and how he can be cared for is concerned with more than the biological aspects and thus calls for a broader perspective. Social sciences and medical humanities give insight into the context and conditions of being ill, caring for the ill, and understanding disease in a respective socio-cultural frame. This book brings together scholars from various countries who are interested in deepening the interdisciplinary discourse on the subject. This book is the outcome of the 4th global conference on Making Sense of: Health, Illness and Disease, held at Mansfield College, Oxford, in July 2005.This volume will be of interest to students in the medical humanities, researchers as well as health care provider who wish to gain insight into the various perspectives through which we can understand health, illness and disease.
Services for children with developmental co-ordination disorder: The experiences of parents
(2011-05) Maciver, Donald; Owen, Christine; Flannery, Catherine; Forsyth, Kirsty; Howden, Stella; Shepherd, C.; Rush, Robert
Background Parents provide valuable information on their experiences of engaging with therapy services for their children, which can inform the future development of these services. The aim of this study was to explore the views and experiences of parents who had accessed therapy services for their child with developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD). Methods Seven focus groups were conducted incorporating 52 parents who had a child diagnosed with, or fitting the diagnostic criteria for DCD. Focus groups were audiotaped, transcribed and analysed thematically. Findings Parents reported struggling to gain access to therapy services. When they gained access, they found the services beneficial for their child but continued to experience difficulties regarding the quality of service delivery. Conclusions/implications The study suggests that parents thought some health-care professionals lacked knowledge and understanding of DCD, which they believed impacted upon early recognition and access to services. They perceived that therapy at an early age was vital for children's development, and indicated that a clearer path for accessing these services was necessary in addition to improved service quality. They called for an increase in awareness of DCD by all therapy service professionals to aid early recognition and improved treatment. 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Social media guidance, designed by students for students, is well-received and may prompt changes in online behaviour
(2013-06) Howden, Stella; Cowan, H.; Green, B.; Reynolds, D.; Smith, S.
Social media offers opportunities to network and build a positive online profile; however, there is growing evidence that used unwisely, such sites can blur the lines between the personal and professional (Devi 2011) resulting in unanticipated negative consequences. In response to this, a number of health professional bodies have generated social media guidance for their members. Examination of this guidance reveals a range of content and formats. There is currently a paucity of research into healthcare students' views on available guidance. The paper reports on an investigation of healthcare students' views regarding currently existing social media guidance, the development of a new guide, that can be used by any healthcare student group (uni or multi professional) and commentary on the value of a student lead research project which results in a learning resource, developed by students, for students.
The pain of rheumatoid arthritis: the different perspectives of patient and rheumatologist.
(Queen Margaret University, 2005) Howden, Stella
The chronic pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is identified by patients as a priority for treatment and is said to shape their illness experience. However, review of the literature reveals that little is known about patients' perspectives on pain in RA, with even less being known about how rheumatologists, the clinical experts in patient care, perceive this phenomenon. Increasing knowledge and understanding of patients' and rheumatologists' perspectives on pain can be used to try to influence their action/inactions as well as helping to identify patients' specific concerns and unmet needs. The aims of this study were: To describe patients' and rheumatologists' perspectives on the meaning of pain in RA; To explore how these pain meanings are constructed; and To consider the implications of these constructions for pain management. This interpretive, qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to generate accounts related to respondents' perspectives on pain in RA. Purposive sampling was used to select a heterogeneous group of patients with RA (n=29) and rheumatologists (n=16). Thematic analysis was used inductively to generate findings using a cumulative, constant comparative technique (Strauss and Corbin, 1998). Both patients and rheumatologists presented multiple pain meanings but generally viewed pain as an expected symptom of the disease, both being resigned to the belief that most patients would have some degree of daily pain. Additionally, both groups considered the pain experience to have a pervasive, negative impact on life, potentially threatening the patient's concept of 'self'. In contrast, patients' and rheumatologists' pain meanings regarding clinical topics were not similar. Patients' views of medical responsibility were narrowly difined, rooted in western biomedical conceptions of pain and were influenced by experiences of clinical interactions. Accordingly, patients viewed the rheumatologist to be responsible only for 'legitimate' pain i.e. pain associated with the body and disease processes. Rheumatologists, on the other hand, presented a more comprehensive understanding of pain by incorporating psychological and social theories along with an associated 'ideal' model of care (reflecting a biopsychosocial approach). Consequently, they identified eclectic roles/responsibilities for themselves in patient management. However, rheumatologists viewed this 'ideal' as difficult to attain in the context of their experiences of clinical work where multiple constraints were perceived to exist, such as difficulties in deciphering pain, the perception of limited resources (e.g. time) and organisational barriers. In light of this, their role was often reduced to focusing simply on disease management, thus displacing the 'ideals' of patient-centred care and perpetuating the dominant biomedical discourse of pain in the clinical context. This thesis adds to the body of knowledge about patients' perspectives on pain when they live with a chronically painful condition and patient barriers to reporting pain. New findings are presented regarding the medical experts' conceptions of pain; in particular, those related to complex clinical work. The findings also identify areas of unmet need regarding patients' knowledge of pain, pain management and of the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals. Suggestions are made for further work in the areas of investigating patient barriers to reporting pain; exploring patient perspectives on self-management and using alternative research methods to complement and develop the findings from this study.