Browsing by Person "Walsh, Mike"

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Enabling integrated knowledge acquisition and management in health care teams
(2014-11) Pentland, Duncan; Forsyth, Kirsty; Maciver, Donald; Walsh, Mike; Murray, Richard; Irvine, Linda
Basing treatment, policy and planning decisions on the best available research knowledge remains a central principle in modern health care around the world, yet many health professionals find acquiring and managing published research knowledge challenging. In this paper, we report on a Soft Systems Methodology-based collaborative action research initiative with a specialist mental health service from the United Kingdom's National Health Service. Our objective was to design and implement improvements to their knowledge acquisition and management activities in order to facilitate sustained and effective evidence-based practices. We report on both the factors found to impede effective research knowledge acquisition and management and the development of more integrated knowledge management processes designed to improve the situation.
Key characteristics of knowledge transfer and exchange in healthcare: Integrative literature review
(Wiley Online, 2011-07) Pentland, Duncan; Forsyth, Kirsty; Maciver, Donald; Walsh, Mike; Murray, Richard; Irvine, Linda; Sikora, Simon
Aim. This paper presents the results of a review of literature relating to knowledge transfer and exchange in healthcare. Background. Treatment, planning and policy decisions in contemporary nursing and healthcare should be based on sound evidence wherever possible, but research knowledge remains generally underused. Knowledge transfer and exchange initiatives aim to facilitate the accessibility, application and production of evidence and may provide solutions to this challenge. This review was conducted to help inform the design and implementation of knowledge transfer and exchange activities for a large healthcare organization. Data sources. Databases: ASSIA, Business Source Premier, CINAHL, PsychInfo, Medline and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Review methods. An integrative literature review was carried out including an extensive literature search. English language systematic reviews, literature reviews, primary quantitative and qualitative papers and grey literature of high relevance evaluating, describing or discussing knowledge transfer or exchange activities in healthcare were included for review (January 1990-September 2009). Findings. Thirty-three papers were reviewed (four systematic reviews, nine literature reviews, one environmental scan, nine empirical studies and ten case studies). Conclusion. Robust research into knowledge transfer and exchange in healthcare is limited. Analysis of a wide range of evidence indicates a number of commonly featured characteristics but further evaluation of these activities would benefit their application in facilitating evidence-based practice in nursing. 2011 The Authors. Journal of Advanced Nursing 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Mental health vocational rehabilitation - occupational therapists perceptions of individual placement and support
(Mark Allen Publishing LTD, 2012-04) Baxter, Claire; Prior, Susan; Forsyth, Kirsty; Maciver, Donald; Meiklejohn, Alison; Irvine, Linda; Walsh, Mike
Research purpose: Vocational rehabilitation (VR) has been the focus of recent government policy, which outlines objectives to support individuals with mental illness into work. To provide such support, Individual Placement and Support (IPS) as one approach, is frequently referred to. This has ignited both discussion and research within the occupational therapy (OT) profession to re-examine its contribution to VR and consider IPS as part of its practice. Aim: To explore Occupational Therapists' (OTs) perceptions about their role within mental health (MH) VR and IPS. Method: This qualitative study conducted semi-structured interviews. The interview transcripts were subject to thematic framework analysis. Findings: The findings revealed similarities and compatibility with OT and IPS. Participants acknowledged the value of IPS for clients who wish to obtain paid employment but also in line with professional values, recognise the value of all worker roles, paid and unpaid. Conclusion: The findings are congruent with discursive literature regarding OT and VR. Consideration given by OTs to the uniqueness and complexities of work as an occupation reinforces their distinct contribution to VR and could extend to IPS. Further research is needed to verify and extend this study's findings.
Readiness for Employment: Perceptions of Mental Health Service Users
(Springer, 2013-12-19) Prior, Susan; Maciver, Donald; Forsyth, Kirsty; Walsh, Mike; Meiklejohn, Alison; Irvine, Linda
Work is good for both physical and mental health, and access to work is a basic human right. People with mental health conditions want to work and with the right support can work but are often excluded from the workplace. We explored factors influencing individual's perceptions of their readiness for employment. Participants' narratives focused particularly on personal causation and it's interreactions with other aspects of volition, habituation and the environment and highlight a number of key areas, which are discussed in relation to service provision. Sheltered workshops offer support and some structure and routine but may limit an individual's readiness for employment. Services should be evidence based and focused on real work opportunities which fit with individual's interests and values. Occupational therapy theory offers a unique and valuable perspective in understanding perceptions of readiness for employment and occupational therapists offer valid and useful assessments and interventions for vocational rehabilitation.
Services for children with developmental co-ordination disorder: an evaluation against best practice principles
(Taylor & Francis, 2016-01) Pentland, Jacqueline; Maciver, Donald; Owen, Christine; Forsyth, Kirsty; Irvine, Linda; Walsh, Mike; Crowe, Miriam
Purpose: The National Health Service in Scotland published a best practice framework to support occupational therapists and physiotherapists to deliver effective services for children with developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD); however, adherence is variable. To highlight areas for development, this study compared the care pathway within a paediatric DCD service against the NHS Scotland framework. Methods: A partnership of researchers and clinicians based in the United Kingdom conducted a qualitative study with 37 participants (N = 13 interview participants, N = 24 workshop participants). In-depth interviews and/or workshops were used to map the DCD service against the NHS framework. Identified gaps were aligned with four key stages of the care pathway. Qualitative analysis software was used to analyse the data. Results: Core principles to guide future development were identified for each phase of the pathway. These core principles related to the NHS framework and focused on issues such as involving the family, defining clear pathways and enhancing children's participation. Participants identified potential strategies for service improvement such as developing community-based interventions and information provision. Conclusion: Challenges when providing services for children with DCD include confusing service pathways and poor partnership working. It is, therefore, important that clinicians utilise collaborative working strategies that support children's participation.Implications for RehabilitationThere are numerous challenges related to the implementation of best practice principles into the provision of therapy services for children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD).It is important that AHPs seek ways of engaging parents and educational professionals at all stages of the care pathway in order to ensure optimum service provision for the child.Addressing participation is an important aspect and community-based strategies may be particularly beneficial, both as a preventative activity and as an intervention approach. 2015 Informa UK Ltd.
Vocational rehabilitation: facilitating evidence based practice through participatory action research
(Informa Healthcare, 2013-04-15) Maciver, Donald; Prior, Susan; Forsyth, Kirsty; Meiklejohn, Alison; Irvine, Linda; Walsh, Mike; Pentland, Duncan
Background: Improving vocational rehabilitation in line with the current evidence base is an area of considerable interest. Aims: To describe the strategies used by a multidisciplinary team in the initial stages of a participatory action research (PAR) approach to improving a vocational rehabilitation service. Method: A literature review and PAR process were completed. One hundred and fifteen participants engaged in multifaceted data collection and analysis, building consensus around key principles for a new vocational rehabilitation service. Results: A synthesis of our literature review and PAR process was developed into a set of principles for practice which we plan to implement across the service. Conclusions: We have developed methodologies in interdisciplinary collaborations spanning statutory and non-statutory services. We have developed a set of principles for practice and detailed plans for implementation are being drawn up to inform provision in the future.