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Nursing

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Author: search.filters.author.MacDonald, KathEnd date: 2009

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Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    Living in limbo -- patients with cystic fibrosis waiting for transplant
    (2006-05-25) MacDonald, Kath
    Lung transplant for patients with end-stage cystic fibrosis (CF) in the UK is recognized as the only successful treatment for CF patients with advanced lung disease. This study uses an exploratory approach to examine how patients with CF and their carers cope with the rigours of chronic illness and life on a transplant waiting list. Eight patients with CF, four awaiting transplant and four who had been transplanted within the previous 3years, along with five of their carers, were asked to recount their experiences using a semi-structured interview technique. Four themes emerged from the interview data; displacement, disorder, life in limbo and readjustment to wellness. Support appears to be particularly important to patients and families after false alarms occur, and upon return home after transplant. The small sample size precludes generalization of the results to all patients with CF but gives an in-depth insight into the lived experience of waiting for transplant.
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    Dealing with chaos and complexity: the reality of interviewing children and families in their own homes
    (Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2008) MacDonald, Kath; Greggans, Alison
    Aims. The aim of this paper is to share our experiences of dealing with chaos and complexity in interview situations in the home with children and young people. We highlight dilemmas relevant to dealing with multiple interruptions, building a rapport, consent and confidentiality. Furthermore, we discuss issues regarding the locus of power and control and offer some solutions based on our experiences. Background. Creating a safe environment is essential for qualitative research. Participants are more likely to open up and communicate if they feel safe, comfortable and relaxed. We conclude that interviewing parents and their children with cystic fibrosis in their own homes, is chaotic and appears to threaten the rigour of data collection processes. Limited attention or print space is paid to this issue, with published articles frequently sanitising the messiness of real world qualitative research. Design. Position paper. Methods. In this position paper, we use two case studies to illustrate ethical and pragmatic challenges of interviewing out in the field. These case studies, typical of families we encountered, help emphasise the concerns we had in balancing researcher-participant rapport with the quality of the research process. Conclusions. Dealing with perceived chaos is hard in reality, but capturing it is part of the complexity of qualitative enquiry. The context is interdependent with children's perceived reality, because they communicate with others through their environment. Relevance to practice. This paper gives researchers an insight into the tensions of operating out in the field and helps raise the importance of the environmental 'chaos' in revealing significant issues relevant to peoples daily lives. Knowing that unexpected chaos is part and parcel of qualitative research, will equip researchers with skills fundamental for balancing the well being of all those involved with the quality of the research process.
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    The Adventures of Super Nurse: using technology to enhance student engagement in nursing curriculum
    (2009-11-27) MacDonald, Kath
    The Nature of Nursing module aims to help students' to develop a professional identity that is principle and theory based. The module addresses the elements of nursing's metaparadigm; nursing knowledge, professional issues and promoting health,augmented by theories of communication, which are core to the profession. At the end of the module students were asked to think creatively to portray in groups their understanding of the Nature of Nursing. We present one group's depiction.
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    Your tutor is your friend Reflections on the first year: Using experiential learning in first year as an induction tool for 2nd year nursing students
    (2009-11-27) MacDonald, Kath; Riddell, Helen
    The somophoreslump theory suggests that after an enthusiastic first year, students experience a slump in second year, which results in poorer outcomes and increased attrition rates1 QAA Enhancement theme (2008) asks, what do we want students to get from their first year?- We asked students to reflect on their first year experience in order to identify their learning and perhaps reduce the potential for a slump during second year
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    An evaluation of a community youth befriending programme for young people with cystic fibrosis and their carers in Lothian
    (QMU, 2007-07) MacDonald, Kath; Goulbourne, Alison
    Introduction and background Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the UK's most common genetically inherited life limiting condition, which currently affects around 700 people in Scotland (CF Trust 2002). The condition is caused by a gene defect and affects primarily the lungs and digestive system. Children with CF become aware that they are different from their peers, they can be small and thin as puberty usually comes late, there is often a chronic cough and lung function is substantially reduced causing restricted energy levels. Issues relating to cross infection make peer support problematic for this group. In addition, treatments and self care behaviours are substantial, time consuming and add to social isolation due to regular hospitalisation, and absences from school. Consequently this group often need practical and emotional support that would not normally be required in this age group, (Hodson et al 1993). Rationale for the study The Butterfly Trust was set up in 2002 to support sufferers and families with CF. In November 2004 the Trust was awarded funding to establish a befriending programme for children with CF in Lothian (aged 8-18) with the intention of mentoring and supporting, relieving stress and boredom, improving self confidence, and enhancing general well being. The existing programme was developed in partnership with the CF community nurses at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC). Aims and Methods The purpose of our study was to evaluate the impact of The Butterfly Trust's befriending programme (Cool Friends) on: Young people's self esteem, empowerment and independence Issues such as boredom and social isolation when young people are at home and in hospital. Its function for raising issues of personal importance for young people and their carers. Support for carers; e.g. time out, networking Its potential for influencing concordance with treatment regimens.
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    Bone loss in CF: A fragmented Picture.
    (2009) Roberston, J.; MacDonald, Kath
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    The expert CF patient: Reality or lip service?
    (2009-11) MacDonald, Kath
    In the UK nineteen million people, approximately one third of the population, live with a chronic illness. (DoH 2005).This trend is rising and with increasing life expectancy will continue to do so. The cystic fibrosis population of eight thousand in the UK forms part of this group (CF Trust 2008) The term expert patient- is currently a very topical one, with health professionals acknowledging that patients with chronic conditions are often more knowledgeable about their disease than they are. This is almost always the case in CF as most people with CF have a diagnosis within the first two years of life and thereafter spend the rest of their lives living with and managing the disease. This experience of living with a disease inevitably brings knowledge and other skills such as resourcefulness and decision making.