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Biomedical subjects

Peter Nolan

Publications and source records attributed to Peter Nolan.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

A survey of the education of nurses working in mental health settings in 12 European countries.

BACKGROUND: Recent European policies emphasise that the training and education of health professionals are a major means of improving mental health services. Little comparative research has been undertaken to ascertain the degree of homogeneity in the training of nurses working in mental health settings across Europe. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the training of nurses working in mental health settings in a range of European countries. Specifically, information regarding criteria for entry into training, type of qualification awarded and further training opportunities was to be explored. METHODS AND PARTICIPANTS: A specially designed questionnaire was designed to gather data from senior mental health nurses working in the mental health field in a sample of 12 countries from across Europe. RESULTS: Findings disclosed considerable disparity between countries in respect to nurse training, with few countries requiring a specialist nursing qualification to practice in the mental health field. There appears to be little homogeneity in terms of educational provision pre and post-qualification. CONCLUSIONS: More research is needed into how European states deliver nurse training and education, how students are prepared for various practice settings and the effect on outcomes for service users of different models of training.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2006

A comparative cross-sectional questionnaire survey of the work of UK and US mental health nurses.

BACKGROUND: Comparative inter-country research which identifies similarities and differences in the work of mental health nurses in different social and political contexts is an important means of determining how changes in health care systems could lead to better outcomes for patients. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to compare aspects of the work of nurses in US and UK mental health care settings. Nurses were invited to reflect on aspects of their role including identifying the most and least satisfying elements of their work and suggesting ways in which it could be improved. METHODS AND PARTICIPANTS: A 12-item questionnaire, comprising closed and open-ended questions, based on the literature and the authors' own experiences of mental health nursing practice, was piloted and subsequently distributed to respondents in both countries. RESULTS: The US nurses tended to be more willing to accept a wider range of clients than their UK counterparts, although they had lower expectations of their clients' likelihood of recovery. Both groups of nurses felt that being part of a team and having direct contact with clients were the most satisfying aspects of their work, while administration was the least. Although both US and UK nurses utilised a variety of intervention models, it would appear that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy was the favoured model for the majority of nurses. CONCLUSIONS: The implications of these findings for the work of nurses and mental health care services in the UK and US, and the purpose, nature and need for future international comparative research are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Nurse lecturers' observations on aspects of nurse prescribing training.

In the UK, nurse prescribing training is delivered within a Higher Education Institution (HEI). Although prescribing courses are regularly evaluated by individual HEIs and associated commissioning bodies, there has been little focus on the perspective of the lecturers who provide the training. The aim of this paper is to explore nurse lecturers' experiences of delivering nurse prescribing courses and their views on how well they prepare nurses for the prescribing role. Eight members of lecturing staff (7 female and 1 male) from four HEIs across the West Midlands participated in one-to-one, semi-structured interviews to discuss their experiences of prescribing training. Key issues to emerge were the selection criteria for acceptance onto prescribing courses; the diverse skills, experience and background of the nurses accepted; the addition of supplementary prescribing to independent prescribing courses, and the problems of providing pharmacology input into courses. Feedback from students and lecturers is vital to ensure the quality of training. The study recommends that selection criteria for prescribing training courses should receive further attention. Providing more material for potential students prior to their embarking on training would help applicants understand better what is involved and ultimately improve implementation of nurse prescribing in practice.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2006

Neuropharmacology and mental health nurse prescribers.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To outline the development and content of a 'top-up' neuropharmacology module for mental health nurse prescribers and consider how much pharmacology training is required to ensure effective mental health prescribing practice. BACKGROUND: Debate about the content of prescribing training courses has persisted within the United Kingdom since the mid-1980s. In early 2003 supplementary prescribing was introduced and gave mental health nurses the opportunity to become prescribers. The challenge of the nurse prescribing curriculum for universities is that they have only a short time to provide nurses from a range of backgrounds with enough knowledge to ensure that they meet agreed levels of competency for safe prescribing. There is growing concern within mental health care that the prescribing of medication in mental health services falls short of what would be deemed good practice. Over the past two decades, nurse training has increasingly adopted a psychosocial approach to nursing care raising concerns that, although nurses attending prescribing training may be able to communicate effectively with service users, they may lack the basic knowledge of biology and pharmacology to make effective decisions about medication. METHODS: Following the completion of a general nurse prescribing course, mental health nurses who attended were asked to identify their specific needs during the evaluation phase. Although they had covered basic pharmacological principles in their training, they stated that they needed more specific information about drugs used in mental health; particularly how to select appropriate drug treatments for mental health conditions. This paper describes how the nurses were involved in the design of a specific module which would enable them to transfer their theoretical leaning to practice and in so doing increase their confidence in their new roles. RESULTS: The findings of this study suggest that the understanding and confidence of mental health nurse prescribers about the drugs they prescribe coupled with the information they provide to service users can be improved as a result of specific educational support. It would appear that adopting a prescribing dimension to one's role requires nurses to revisit a number of skills that are integral to the work of the mental health nurse, e.g. good communication, establishing empathy, listening to what clients say, responding to what is required and involving clients in their own care. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health nurses from one particular Trust in the West Midlands were provided with a 'top-up' course in neuropharmacology and, although they found this challenging, ultimately they found this to be helpful. As nurse prescribing is 'rolled out' to other nursing specialities it is important that local Trusts and Workforce Development Directorates maintain a dialogue about nurse prescriber training to ensure that nurse prescribers receive the appropriate time and support for their ongoing Continued Professional Development. As increasing numbers of nurses from different specialities qualify as nurse prescribers it is vital that they are supported by their employing organizations and given the opportunity to maintain their competency and confidence in their prescribing practice.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2005

Nurse prescribers: who are they and how do they perceive their role?

AIMS: This paper reports a study to elicit background data from recently qualified nurse prescribers and explore aspects of their work. BACKGROUND: Nurse prescribing has been introduced quite recently in the United Kingdom. Although a certain amount of information is available about the characteristics of nurse prescribers, relatively little is known about their professional backgrounds, their reasons for choosing to become nurse prescribers and their perceptions of their emerging role. More information is needed to inform the selection, education and support of nurse prescribers. METHOD: All nurses who undertook a nurse prescribing course in one university in the West Midlands during 2003-2004 were invited to participate in the study. A 40-item questionnaire was used to gather data on demographics, expectations of nurse prescribing, personal and professional development and perceived education needs. FINDINGS: Respondents considered that, despite initial problems, the nurse prescribing initiative would ultimately prove to be a cornerstone of improved service delivery for service users. The majority of nurses were already heavily involved in prescribing 'by proxy' and the course merely formalized what they were currently doing. Potentially, prescribing could advance the professional development of nurses, improve communication between professionals and patients, and make the experience of patients more beneficial. However, some concerns were expressed about how supportive the current climate in health care could be, given the multiple demands on time and energy required by so many other innovations. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents appeared balanced in their perceptions of this innovation and what it could realistically achieve. They were not indifferent to the many short and long-term problems that need to be resolved before it can be claimed to have become embedded in practice. The success of non-medical prescribing may depend on organizational support, coupled with a robust continuing professional development strategy for all nurse prescribers.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The changing world of work.

Focusing on paid employment rather than work in its multiple forms, this paper highlights key developments in the UK labour market, presents new findings from two nationally representative sample surveys, and advances some conclusions about the contradictory effects of change and continuity in paid work in the early years of the twenty-first century. Reference is made to international developments to place the UK in a broader context.

Data Collection↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The pharmacist's role in the medicinal management of depression.

AIM: To elicit pharmacists' perceptions of medication management for people who have been prescribed medication for depression. METHOD: A questionnaire survey of 103 mainly community pharmacists was used. RESULTS: People frequently approached pharmacists for information about a range of issues concerning antidepressant medication. Although pharmacists were knowledgeable about all aspects of pharmacological interventions, many felt their location in the commercial sector inhibited the amount of assistance they could provide. Barriers to providing information were identified, and the paucity of pharmacists' links with primary care teams exposed. CONCLUSION: The survey supports other studies that have suggested pharmacists could provide considerable assistance in helping people to understand their medication and its benefits. There is also discussion of the ways in which the future role of pharmacists could be developed so that they collaborate more closely with other healthcare professionals.

Antidepressive Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nurse prescribing: the experiences of psychiatric nurses in the United States.

AIM: This study sought to elicit the views of psychiatric nurses in the United States on various aspects of nurse prescribing, with the aim of informing UK nurses about future problems and possible solutions. METHOD: A survey design with an opportunistic sample of psychiatric nurse clinical specialists was used. The questionnaire consisted of 14 items seeking to elicit information on demographic data, current involvement in medication management, perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of nurse prescribing, awareness of research about nurse prescribing, accountability and autonomy, and the prescribers' relationship with the pharmaceutical industry. Of the 80 questionnaires distributed, 51 (43 completed by female nurses and eight by male nurses) were returned--a response rate of 64 per cent. RESULTS: The results highlight the many advantages of nurse prescribing, which centre on improving the quality of care for patients; concerns relating to the relationship between nurse prescribers and non-prescribers; and the relationship between nurse prescribers and medical supervisors. CONCLUSION: Nurse prescribing has advantages for nurses and patients, including enhanced career development opportunities and better quality of patient care. However, though nurses may feel ready for this development, some members of the public may take longer to accept it.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Supplementary nurse prescribing.

AIM: To explore the attitudes of multidisciplinary team members to nurse prescribing and to establish its perceived advantages and disadvantages. METHOD: Five focus groups were conducted with a range of healthcare professionals in one trust. A total of 46 participants took part in the study A structured schedule was used during each discussion to elicit group members' views on supplementary nurse prescribing. The data were analysed thematically and key themes and concepts were identified. FINDINGS: These are summarised under five main headings: what is supplementary prescribing?; why introduce supplementary prescribing?; perceived benefits of supplementary prescribing; concerns about supplementary prescribing; and skills necessary for supplementary prescribing. Analysis of the data suggests that although teams were generally supportive of nurse prescribing they are largely confused about what is being recommended and why. There was concern about how nurse prescribing will be implemented and its potential to disrupt team functioning. CONCLUSION: A considerable amount of preparation will be required to ensure that nurse prescribers have the organisational and team support to adapt to their new roles.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Concordance with antidepressant medication in primary care.

AIM: To identify how depression is managed in primary care settings and examine patients' perspectives on their care and the impact medication had on their recovery. This article specifically addresses patients' accounts of the influences on medication concordance. METHOD: A total of 60 patients from four primary care centres who had a recent episode of depression were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and a framework analysis to identify recurring themes. Participants had largely recovered from their illness. FINDINGS: Many factors influenced patients' decisions to take and continue prescribed antidepressants and four broad themes were identified. These were: the role and relationship with health practitioners; factors related to the illness; beliefs about and experiences of medication for depression; and the wider context of depression. CONCLUSION: Concordance with antidepressants is multifactorial and may change over time in the same patient. Influences on concordance may be positive or negative and the combined effects are highly individual and dependent on circumstances. Nurses involved in medication management should encourage discussion of the likely impact of, and patients' attitudes toward, medication.

Antidepressive Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Addressing the concerns of the trainee nurse prescriber.

AIM: To identify the specialties from which trainee prescribers come and to determine their pre-training and post-training concerns about prescribing and how they are utilising their prescribing skills. METHOD: A self-report profile questionnaire including open and closed questions, some Likert-type scales and a 24-item, self-report follow-up questionnaire were used. RESULTS: Half of the nurses who took part in this study came from four disciplines--practice nursing, mental health nursing, district nursing and paediatric/neonatal nursing. Before the course they were concerned that they had insufficient pharmacological knowledge to prescribe. However, once they had qualified this changed to concerns regarding educational needs, formal support and the way their role would be perceived by colleagues. Most participants felt that nurse prescribing impacted positively on patient care. CONCLUSION: With the right support systems in place, nurse prescribers are utilising their prescribing skills in order to develop their role, increase their clinical autonomy and improve the care of patients.

Drug Prescriptions↗