Nursing

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/24

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Embedding storytelling in practice through CAKE – a recipe for team wellbeing and effectiveness
(Foundation of Nursing Studies (FONS), 2023-05-24) Dickson, Caroline; MacDonald, Kath
Background: CAKE, an interactive resource to promote individual and team wellbeing and effectiveness through storytelling was co-designed with community nurses in 2020. In Phase 1 of this project, CAKE comprised seven slices that guided teams through a process of connecting, storytelling, reflecting and action planning to promote wellbeing. It was developed in response to an increasing awareness of psychological harm experienced by nurses and other healthcare professionals. Levels of stress in the workplace are currently contributing to problems with recruitment and retention, and a lack of resources have impacted on practitioners’ wellbeing, and their ability to be compassionate caregivers and to contribute to healthful teams. Aim: Phase 2 of the project sought to: 1) develop facilitators of CAKE; 2) pilot test the prototype CAKE resource in a range of contexts; and 3) create a digital version of CAKE. Methods: An evaluation approach to pilot testing, using multiple methods of data collection, involved 130 health and social care practitioners at 17 sites across the UK. Eight facilitator support sessions, underpinned by the Critical Ally model were offered and data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: The findings revealed two overarching themes: facilitating CAKE and experiencing CAKE. In the former, three themes emerged: preparing for CAKE, trying CAKE and embedding CAKE. The latter had two themes: giving it a go and culture change. Following the study, the number of CAKE slices was increased from seven to eight by separating reflection and action planning, and minor amendments were made around spelling and grammar. Conclusion: We propose CAKE as a novel resource to promote individual and team wellbeing and effectiveness in health and social care teams. CAKE users acknowledge the challenges in creating space to use the resource, but when it is implemented teams embed practices that create healthful teams. As facilitators use CAKE, they develop their facilitation skills but they require preparation and support.
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.
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.
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.
A Reflection on the Introduction of a Peer and Self Assessment Initiative
(University of Glasgow, 2011-04) MacDonald, Kath
This paper discusses the introduction and evaluation of peer and self assessment elements into two nursing modules, (one undergraduate, (UG) and one postgraduate, (PG). 40 UG nursing students and 22 PG education students participated in a Peer and self assessment exercise within their respective modules. Students evaluated the process by questionnaire and made recommendations for future modules. 32 out of 40 (80%) undergraduate & 20 out of 22 (91%) post graduate students returned the questionnaires. Over two-thirds of each group recommended introducing peer assessment into their modules. Students saw peer and self assessment as motivational, encouraging learning, and a fair and truthful method of assessment. Weaknesses were seen as possibility of personal bias, students unsure about their assessment skills and may disadvantage quiet students or those with English as a second language. Both groups felt peer feedback would further their own learning. Both groups scored their peers at the higher end of the range of scores. Peer and self assessment is seen positively by UG and PG students and is perceived to motivate, facilitate learning, and be fair. Consideration must be given to less dominant group members, as quiet students do not necessarily produce less effort. Peer and self assessment may help students develop sustainable skills which can be used in the workplace, such as judgement and assessment of self and others.
"Cool friends": an evaluation of a community befriending programme for young people with cystic fibrosis
(2010) MacDonald, Kath; Greggans, Alison
Aim.: To evaluate the impact of a community youth befriending programme on a group of young people with chronic illness and their carers. Background.: Befriending is said to be highly valued by those who are befriended, improving self-esteem and offering opportunities for increasing skills and social activities. Design.: A qualitative longitudinal pilot study of young people with cystic fibrosis, their carers, their befrienders and other personnel, closely involved with the families. Methods.: Seventeen participants were interviewed over one-year to explore their experiences of befriending. Ten of these were either befriendees (aged 8-18 years) or their parents. Half of these families were interviewed twice; once at the beginning of the befriending relationship and another at one year later. Seven other personnel, closely involved with the young people, were interviewed; two play therapists and two education liaison personnel. A focus group was also held with three befrienders. This range of data sought to reveal a wide perspective on the impact of befriending. Results.: Befriending was seen as a good thing by all parties involved. It offered a distraction from illness, respite for carers and helped young people to raise issues of personal importance. Befriending was challenging for the befrienders given the diagnosis of this group of befriendees. Negative experiences could result if pairs are poorly matched or if befrienders are not committed to the process. Exit strategies were not addressed. Conclusion.: Sustainable befriending relationships are dependent on commitment from both parties and transparency about the expected practices and processes from the beginning to the end of the relationship. Relevance to practice.: The evidence that is available in support of befriending is mixed. To date this is the first study in relation to people with cystic fibrosis and will add to the body of knowledge of befriending in young people with a life-threatening chronic illness. 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
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
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.
Guest Editorial
(SAGE Publications, 2017-11-29) MacDonald, Kath; Clancy, Marie
The idea for this special issue came about as a result of a meeting at the 2016 Royal College of Nursing (RCN) International Research Conference where we both presented our research through the medium of poetry. Coincidentally for us, Gary Rolfe opened the conference with a keynote called 'More poetry is needed'. Gary's concluding remarks suggested that nursing research should broaden its scope to encompass a wider variety of scholarly activities, and nurse academics should not forget that they are first and foremost nurses. This resonated very strongly with what we were trying to do, which was to connect with peoples' personal narratives, promote empathy and engage with the art of nursing as a way of knowing (Carper, 1978).
Review 2: The reflexive role of tanka poetry in domestic abuse research
(Sage, 2016-06-16) MacDonald, Kath
Dissemination of findings in health sciences research can take many forms, but is usually through publication in peer-reviewed journals and oral and poster presentations at conferences and events. One of the challenges for the researcher is how to get the message across with maximum impact; poetry is one means of achieving this. The reviewed paper fell into my inbox on the same week that I presented a seminar on the use of poetry to convey emotions in Masters and Doctoral work (CRFR, 2015; MacDonald, 2015). This paper resonates strongly with this theme and has two purposes: to disseminate the research data in a way that is meaningful and exposes the participant voice; and to explore reflexivity and emotion in relation to the role of the researcher in qualitative research.

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