Biomedical subjects

Catriona Kennedy

Publications and source records attributed to Catriona Kennedy.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Exploring the role of community palliative care nurse specialists as educators.

UNLABELLED: In the UK the clinical nurse specialist role (CNS) has evolved in an uncoordinated manner resulting in a broad job remit, with clinical, managerial, research and educational elements. CNSs working in specialist palliative care are expected to contribute to the delivery of education but many have received no formal training to support them in this aspect of their role. There has been limited research exploring the role the community palliative care CNS in providing education, making this study timely. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the role of the community palliative care CNS as educator. METHOD: Hermeneutic phenomenology, using semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of eight community palliative care CNSs was the approach used. Formal ethical approval was obtained and all participants provided written informed consent. Colaizzi's framework for analysis provided a structured and transparent approach to data analysis. A summary of the findings were verified by the participants to enhance the credibility of interpretation presented here. RESULTS: Data analysis identified three main themes; conflict of expectations, credibility as a teacher and making the education role work. This study highlighted a team approach may address the conflict of expectations between the role specifications and practice reality. CONCLUSION: The CNS has a role in education. However for some CNSs, providing informal education rather than formal education may be appropriate. If the community palliative care CNS provides formal education, they require the knowledge and skills to deliver it effectively. The role of the CNS in palliative care education in the community should respond to personal, professional and local needs.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2005

District nursing support for patients with cancer requiring palliative care.

Patients with cancer spend the majority of the last year of life at home, with district nurses (DNs) as the main care coordinators and providers. However, there is a relative lack of empirical work on the DN role in this area. This study used qualitative, case-study methods to explore the role of district nurses caring for patients with cancer who require palliative care. The study focused on three patient cases and the researcher visited each patient with the DN on several occasions. The sample was three DNs and the principal data collection methods were episodes of participant observation (n=11) and in-depth interviews (n=12). The findings suggest that DN role was as linchpin or coordinator of palliative care at home. They were the main providers of physical and emotional support for the patients and families in this study. The supportive role of the DN involved referral to other agencies. Patient and carer preferences impacted on decision-making and care planning and reaching a compromise was often necessary.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

The decision making process in a district nursing assessment.

Assessment is a key element of district nursing practice and a cornerstone of community care. Yet very little research has been undertaken in this area. Given the current emphasis on evidence-based practice in health care, there is a need to ensure that district nurses, nursing students and educators can draw from an empirically derived and sound knowledge base. This article explores the relationship between knowledge and decision-making in district nursing assessment. It is based on a case study of one district nurse participant from a qualitative study of district nursing assessment. The case study material illustrates key findings from this study in order to examine the relationship between theoretical perspectives and everyday decision-making, based on the stages of decision-making identified by Carroll and Johnson (1990).

Attitude of Health Personnel↗