Research - studies relevant to Practice Nursing
Courtney M. & UCC, (2009) "Investigation of the Role Dimensions, Clinical Competence, Educational Preparation and Professional Development Needs of Practice Nurses, a National Research Study", UCC
Show Synopsis"A quantitative methodology used purposeful sampling (n=1519). A research developed questionnaire was used. Questions relating to the role dimensions and professional development were based on a UK study by Crossman (2008) and the role of the practice nurse as delineated by the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP. 2006). Level of competency was assessed using Benner’s (1984) Competency Model.....Findings provided information on the role of the practice nurse and highlighted educational deficits. Results indicated varying levels of competence from novice to expert and were positively affected by further education and the frequency at which the role was performed. The results provide data on the perceived barriers to further education."
Akamnonu, A., (2009), "Patient Death: Nurses' Experience in General Practice. A hermeneutic phenomenological research study", NUIG
Show Synopsis"The purpose of this study is to explore and gain a deeper understanding of the phenomenon of nurses' experience of patient death in General Practice. A qualitative approach, using hermeneutic phenomenology is used for the study. ....the majority considered that further education in grief and bereavement management would benefit them in dealing with the experience of patient death in General Practice."
Latham, L., (2006-2010), "Methadone Maintenance in Irish General Practice: Voices of Service Users", University of Bath.
Show SynopsisPreliminary Results: Four themes emerged from the data which contributed to understanding current practice and policy and identified areas for improvement in the treatment of drug misusers in general practice. The analysis is still in process.
Dowdall, G., (2008), "A Qualitative Review of Nurses Experience to Inform the Design of an Interactive Educational Website focused on Intercultural Healthcare", TNN
Show Synopsis"Following the establishment of the Irish Transcultural Nurses Network (TNN) in 2007 a qualitative study was undertaken among a number of community based nurses to inform the design an interactive, educational webpage....A number of semi structured interviews provided a rich source of indebt information highlighting frustration in their lack of knowledge in the area of transcultural health care. Nurses did express a willingness to use information and communication technology in increase their knowledge and share information."
Allcutt, C., (2008), "An Exploration of Knowledge, Attitudes and Advice Given by Health Professionals to Parents about the Introduction of Solid Foods to their Infants", UCD.
Show Synopsis"The present study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes and advice practices about weaning amongst community health professionals, since they have routine parent interactions in the pre-weaning and early-weaning period....The research findings highlight the need for multi-disciplinary communication, further nutrition training for professionals, improved dissemination of health information and integration of health promotional literature for parents."
Ivers, H., (2007), "A Study Exploring Practice Nurses' Professional Experience of Health Promotion in the Leinster Area", RCSI
Show Synopsis"This study explored Practice Nurses professional experience of health promotion within the Leinster area. It sought an understanding of what types of health promotion and what particular areas it covers along with the tools used to communicate it. It sought to learn whether theory/model based interventions were utilised, and sought to learn about any barriers or challenges in implementing it.... The findings highlighted Practice Nurses huge personal commitment to practicing health promotion. It also highlighted the need for a definite role, which needs to be defined and extended. The availability of continued professional development needs to be assessed along with the requirement for a mandatory introductory course to facilitate nurses in the transition stage between secondary and primary care. The lack of the vital ingredient of 'protected time' was emphasised and a lack of appropriate courses available in some cases was also made clear. Funding issues were highlighted along with other clearly stated challenges to achieving this role of health promoter within the primary care context."
Courtney, M., (2007), "Advanced and Specialist Nursing in Ireland (Primary Care): An Exploration of Professional and Organisational Issues", RCSI
Show Synopsis"This study explored the organisational and professional issues affecting Advanced Nurse Practitioners (Primary Care) and Clinical Nurse Specialists (General Practice) within the Republic of Ireland and considers the implications for management, education and clinical practice....Findings indicated that organisational and professional issues are interlinked and suggested that advanced and specialist nurses possess intuitive organisational knowledge and utilise their social network and professional value systems to maximise patient and service outcomes within primary care. The study identified issues relating to workload pressures, professional isolation and educational deficits that inhibit development of clinical career pathways for advanced and specialist nurses within this sector."
Taylor, R., (2005), "A Descriptive Survey Investigating Practice Nurses' and GPs' Attitudes to the Advanced Nurse Practitioner Role in the Republic of Ireland", RCN Institute/University of Manchester
Show SynopsisA "Descriptive survey design using postal questionnaires...[to]...all practice nurses and general practitioners working in the North Western Health Board region in the Republic of Ireland. The findings from this study revealed that practice nurses and GPs were in support of the development of the ANP role in the primary care setting. However, they would welcome a clearer definition of the role of the ANP."
Dowdall, G., (2004), "The Transcultural Training Needs of Practice Nurses in Ireland", RCSI
Show Synopsis"This study.....utilised both qualitative and quantative methods to establish any gaps in Irish practice nurses' knowledge and understanding of health beliefs and health practices of patients from ethnic groups now living in Ireland....This research has highlighted the overwhelming need for training in the area of transcultural health care, 9.5% of respondents had received some form of training and 87% requested training."
Forsythe, R., (2004), "Exploring the Potential of Using Care Pathways to Manage Children with Asthma in the General Practice Setting", TCD.
Show Synopsis"This study examines the use of care pathways in the primary health care setting in Ireland based upon research in 13 general practices in the Dublin area. The research indicates that a strong trend towards the use of self management plans by practice nurses is paralleled by an increasing wish by patients to adopt this approach in order to achieve a level of empowerment and improvement in relation to the condition."
Loftus-Moran, O., (2004), "A Survey of the Role of Practice Nurses during Clinical Encounters with Patients Requesting First-Time Contraception in the Western Health Board", RCSI, Dublin
Show Synopsis"This study set out to address the lack of research into the area of practice nursing, in particular it aimed to focus on first time hormonal contraception and the role of the practice nurse in it's provision. The study also sought to identify post basic training relevant to women's health undertaken by the nurses...The study identified practice nurses as growing in number and responding to the changing face of primary care. They were found to be willing to take on extended roles and anxious to access the training necessary to undertake these roles."
Hogan, S., (2004), "Audit of Nurse-Led Diabetes Clinic".
Show Synopsis"The development of a practice nurse led diabetic clinic was introduced in our GP practice in 2002 with the ultimate aim to keep within the American Diabetic guidelines...An audit has been maintained on the patients, which has shown a reduction in CHOL-HBA1C-WT/BMI and glucose levels over the last year."
Latham, L., (2003), "An Explorative Study of the Perceptions & Experiences of Practice Nurses in relation to patients on a Methadone Treatment Protocol", UCD.
Show Synopsis"The study was guided by a phenomenological research design which investigated the experiences of 8 practice nurses. In depth interviews were used to explore the nurses' involvement with patients receiving methadone treatment in general practice... This study illuminated the hidden resource of the practice nurse and the many facets of the role within the exemplar of methadone maintenance."
Meagher, C., (2003), "A Review of Continuing Professional Development for Practice Nurses in the Republic of Ireland".
Show Synopsis"The study utilized a questionnaire-which was distributed to seventeen regional branches of the Irish Practice Nurses Association. The findings reveal that many practice nurses are reluctant to get involved with Continuing Professional Development due to lack of financial and study leave support."