Centre for Critical Research in Nursing and Midwifery

Learn and Earn Career Pathway

The Learn and Earn career pathway (LECP) was established in 2017 following a pilot by Islington, Haringey and Camden community education provider networks (CEPNs) and is managed via Community Matters.

It attempted to address some of the perceived barriers to employers’ engagement with apprenticeships by means of administrative assistance, financial incentives and the development of a bespoke ‘apprenticeship-plus’ model where additional training, particularly clinical skills, are included within the offer.

Specifically, it was set up to promote the career pathway towards nursing and to explore the viability of using apprenticeships as a sustained funding source for training required to progress along the pathway.

Learn more about this project.

1. A pilot study to evaluate early interventions for pressure ulcer prevention in people living with spinal cord injury who are newly discharged from hospital

This study is in collaboration with London Spinal Cord Injury Centre, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. Awarded in May 2017.The project was registered as a NIHR Portfolio study NHS Trust, and National Spinal Injury Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital NHS Trust.

Aim and objectives: To assess the effectiveness of early intervention using text messaging as a reminder regarding concordance to ‘pressure relief’ regimen. To examine the effectiveness of early intervention using text messaging for pressure ulcer prevention

Principal investigator: Dr Liang Q Liu

Co-investigators: Dr Angela Gall (Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital), Ms Rachel Deegan (Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital), Dr Sarah Knight (Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital), Professor Michael Traynor, Professor Helen Allan

Funded by: Rosetrees Trust.
Funding amount: £18,491

Evaluation of Online Simulated Scenarios for Nursing

April 2020 -  July 2021.

Download report: Evaluation of an Online Screen based Simulation Initiative

Introduction

In April 2020 the adult child midwifery (ACM) department at Middlesex University started using online screen-based simulation (OSBS) software sourced from Oxford Medical Simulation[1] (OMS). OMS was originally designed to be used with virtual reality hardware and delivered in the classroom setting. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions the delivery of the programme was remote and online only i.e. students participated in these simulations on their own computers, and mostly at home

This simulation platform places students into a virtual ward or single bedded area, students are then able to control their environment and interact with the surrounding equipment as in clinical practice. There is a usually a support worker present in the room who the student can interact and communicate with. Each of the simulations features a patient presenting with a specific medical condition with certain scenarios also involving patients presenting with a variety of social or psychological issues. The student is then required to undertake a clinical assessment of that patient, using their clinical knowledge to draw conclusions and make decisions regarding patient care within a safe environment

Principal investigator:  Mike O’Driscoll

Co-investigators: Professor Michael Traynor

Learning Objectives

Learning objectives for 3rd Year (adult and children and young people) nursing students who were to go into practice earlier than anticipated (through an opt in 'extended placement') because of the increased need for staff as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic: included

• To develop knowledge and understanding of the physical assessment of an acutely unwell patient and reflect on their practice.
• To develop the technical and non-technical skills required when assessing and intervening with the acutely unwell patient and reflect on their practice.
• To upskill current third year adult and children and young people nursing students to prepare them for being deployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The OSBS initiative was also aimed at adult and children and young people third year nursing students who did not opt for the 'extended placement' and with adult and children and young people second year students; mental health nursing students (2nd and 3rd year); nursing associates (2nd year); third
year midwifery students and PG Dip 2nd year students. For these groups there were slightly different learning objectives:

• Enable healthcare students to develop knowledge and understanding of the physical assessment of the acutely unwell patient.
• Enable healthcare students to develop technical and non-technical skills required when assessing and intervening with the acutely unwell patient.

Evaluation Findings

The response rate to the online survey was 25% (617 students invited, 154 wholly or partially completed questionnaires obtained). 13 students took part across two online focus groups. Seven members of staff took part in an online focus group and one took part in a one to one interview (as they had been
unable to attend the focus group).

There is strong evidence of the OSBS learning objectives having been met, particularly from survey evidence regarding which skills students perceived they had gained which could be transferred into practice and learning outcomes or objectives they felt they had achieved, and this is supported by focus
group evidence. A very large majority of respondents felt that they had gained skills in making clinical decisions based on their observations and prior knowledge; escalating issues to senior members of staff and using time effectively across different activities.

Respondents were very positive (mean ratings above four on a scale of 1 to 5 about the last scenario participated in, on a range of measures including realism, usefulness and overall satisfaction. Most respondents did not consider  there were serious barriers to their participation in OSBS
and there were no statistically significant differences in perceived barriers to participation by scenario, age, learning style, programme or year of programme and few differences on gender. However, a considerable limitation of the evaluation is that those who took part in the evaluation had participated
in the OSBS (i.e. those who experienced barriers  (or did not like OSBS for whatever  reason) were under-represented in the evaluation)/

Download full report: Evaluation of an Online Screen based Simulation Initiative

This study is in collaboration with Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University and Institute of Public Health and wellbeing, University of Essex. Awarded in March 2020.

Aim of this study: To explore the knowledge, attitudes and experiences of healthcare assistants (HCAs) in preventing pressure ulcers (PrU) in hospital and community settings.

Principal Investigator: Dr Liang Q Liu

Co-investigators: Ms Jacinta Kelly, Dr Mariachiara Di Cesare, Professor Helen Allan, Professor Michael Traynor and Mrs Rachel Deegan (Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital)

Funded by: Burdett Trust for Nursing
Funding amount: £6,540

March 2020 - October 2021

Download project report: Exploring pressure ulcer prevention

February 2017 - December 2018

Principal investigator: Dr Q Cheng (Queen Mary University London), Professor Y Hao (Queen Mary University, London)
Co-investigator: Dr Liang Qin Liu, Dr A Gall (Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital), Dr S Knight (Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital)

Funded by: MDVSN plus (Medical Device and Vulnerable Skin Network plus, EPSRC-NIHR partnership) in collaboration with Queen Mary University London
Funding amount: £48,000

February 2015 - February 2016

Principal investigator: Dr Liang Q Liu

Co-investigators: Dr Sarah Chapman (University of Bath), Dr Angela Gall (Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital), Ms Rachel Deegan (Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital), Dr Sarah Knight (Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital), Professor Michael Traynor, Professor Helen Allan

Funding: £2,000 funded by Hospital Saturday Funds Charity and £11,005 funded by Department of Adult, Child and Midwifery
R&D funding to carry on a study in collaboration with London Spinal Cord Injury Centre, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.

Final report/publication: Liu, Liang Q. , Chapman, Sarah, Deegan, Rachel, Knight, Sarah L. , Traynor, Michael , Allan, Helen T. and Gall, Angela (2020) Development and preliminary validation of a tool measuring concordance and belief about performing pressure-relieving activities for pressure ulcer prevention in spinal cord injury. Journal of Tissue Viability . ISSN 0965-206X (Published online first) (doi: 10.1016/j.jtv.2020.05.002)

2016 - 2017

Principal investigator: Dr Liang Q Liu

Co-investigators: Dr Sinead Mehigan, Mr Branford, Olivier A

Final report/publication: Liu, Liang Q. , Branford, Olivier A. and Mehigan, Sinead (2018) BREAST-Q measurement of the patient perspective in oncoplastic breast surgery: a systematic review. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery-Global Open, 6 (8). e1904. ISSN 2169-7574 (doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000001904)

2014 - 2015

Principal investigator: Dr Liang Q Liu

Co-investigators: Dr Sinead Mehigan

Final report/publication: Liu, Liang Q. and Mehigan, Sinead (2016) the effects of surgical hand scrubbing protocols on skin integrity and surgical site infection rates: a systematic review. AORN journal , 103 (5). pp. 468-482. ISSN 0001-2092 (doi: 10.1016/j.aorn.2016.03.003)

September 2013 to February 2014

Principal investigator: Dr Liang Q Liu

Co-investigators: Moody, Julie, Dyson, Sue E., Traynor, Michael and Gall, Angela (Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital)

Final publications: Liu, Liang Q. , Moody, Julie and Gall, Angela (2016) A quantitative, pooled analysis and systematic review of controlled trials on the impact of electrical stimulation settings and placement on pressure ulcer healing rates in persons with spinal cord injuries. Ostomy Wound Management , 62 (7). pp. 16-34. ISSN 0889-5899

Liu, Liang Q. Moody, Julie, Dyson, Sue E., Traynor, Michael and Gall, Angela (2014) A systematic review of electrical stimulation for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment in people with spinal cord injuries. Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 37 (6). pp. 703-718. ISSN 1079-0268 (doi: 10.1179/2045772314Y.0000000226)

Principal investigator: Dr Liang Q Liu

Co-investigator: Dr Sinead Mehigan

Final report is pending to submit to AORN

PI: Professor Helen Allan
Co-I: Dr Linda Collins Kingston St George’s.

The project was submitted to the funder February 2020.February 2020.

Publications:
Drennan V, Collins L, Allan H T, Bromblecombe N, Taylor F, Halter M (2021) Advanced clinical practice roles in the National Health Service, England: a remedy for workforce problems? A qualitative study of senior staff perspectives. Journal of Health Service, Research and Polic, published online first: https://doi.org/10.1177/13558196211036727

PI: Professor Helen Allan

"It's what kept me in nursing. There's a window of opportunity, let's use it!" An evaluation of impact of capital nurse, final report, 13th October 2019.

HEE now in purdah before the election but report to be released in the New Year. A short opinion piece is being reviewed for Nursing Standard to disseminate the evaluation’s key findings.

2019

Author: Professor Helen Allan

This paper draws from a study which explored the experiences of the transition to early parenthood in 16 heterosexual non-donor couples and includes a specific consideration of the experiences of men as they navigate this journey.

The paper reports a small study with a relatively homogenous sample recruited from one fertility clinic. Nevertheless as an exploratory study of an under researched topic, we discuss useful insights and ideas for further research with larger and more diverse samples.

Autumn 2017 - Spring 2019

Purpose of the study

Pilot study to test an interview schedule and a questionnaire to measure health and wellbeing in previously infertile couples as they transition to early parenthood after successful non-donor IVF; and to compare their experiences with those of fertile couples who conceive spontaneously.

This study has seen the formation of an interdisciplinary collaborative team which investigates the implications on IVF/ICSI conception and delivery of a baby for couples’ lives in early parenthood.

Investigators

• Professor Helen T Allan
• Dr Ginny Mounce (Oxford University)
• Professor Olga van den Akker
• Professor Lorraine Culley (De Montfort University)
• Dr Andrew Symon (Dundee University)

Autumn 2017 - Spring 2019

Authors: Lempp, Healey, Allan, Santana-Suarez, Arber, Lawrence, Gillet, Bristowe.

This is an interdisciplinary study drawing on primary data from 8 different studies undertaken by the authors as PhDs. Most of the authors are jointly sociological researchers and health professionals.

The study explores the use of metaphor by patients with long-term conditions to inform how story telling and metaphors can be understood by health professionals and used to enter the world of patient experience and thus provide person-centred care.

November 2015 - April 2016

Purpose of the study

A feasibility study to test the design of an intervention study to evaluate the nurse delegation and supervision tool (NDST) in general medical care of frail elderly patients.

Investigators

Principal investigator: Professor Helen T Allan (PI) 
Other investigators: Dr Carin Magnusson (University of Surrey) and Dr Kit Tapson and Dr Liang Liu (Middlesex University, CCRNM)
Collaborators: Dr Maggie Davies (West Sussex Hospitals Foundation Trust - Worthing)
Funded by: Burdett Trust for Nursing

Download the project report

September 2015 - September 2016

Purpose of the study
A project exploring volunteering in the UK and Ghana, its current scope and impact and how positive attitudes toward volunteering can be incorporated into pedagogic practice.

The aim of the project is to create a development package to support undergraduate nursing students on their programmes, include volunteering in everyday life, and assist academic staff in incorporating volunteerism into their nursing programmes.

Investigators
Collaborators: Professor Sue Dyson, Professor Olga van den Akker, Dr Sheila Cunningham, Dr Liang Liu (Middlesex University) and the  University of Ghana
Funded by: Middlesex University Department of Adult, Child and Midwifery Research and Knowledge, and Transfer Incentives Monies

November 2014 - November 2016

Purpose of the study
This research was a first step in developing and evaluating new evidence-based NHS services to support parents whose babies cry for prolonged amounts of time. It aimed to find out whether a large-scale study is justified.

Investigators
Principal investigator: Professor Ian St James-Roberts

Other investigators

Professor Stephen Morris (University College London)
Dr Rosemary Garratt (De Montfort University)
Professor Sue Dyson (Middlesex University)
Ms Nicy Turney (Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust)
Ms Christine Buzzard (Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust)
Dr Elaine Boyle (University of Leicester)
Ms Rachel Plachcinski (National Childbirth Trust)
Ms Sally Rudge (Consultant Clinical Psychologist)
Mr Charles Owen (Institute of Education)
Mrs Jan Bullen (Chairperson of Cry-sis)

Funded by: NIHR

Collaborating partners: Middlesex University, De Montfort University, Institute of Education at  University of London, Leicestershire Partnership Trust, Cry-sis

December 2014 - May 2015

Purpose of the study

A report commissioned by HENCEL and produced on behalf of Middlesex University, School of Health and Education.

Investigators

Principal investigator: Professor Michael Traynor
Other investigators: Dr Kevin Corbett, Dr Sinead Mehigan
Funded by: Whittington Health and Health Education North Central and East London (HENCEL) 
Funding amount: £34,945

Download project report

January 2015 - April 2015

Purpose of the study

A report commissioned by Health Education North Central and East London (HENCEL) and produced on behalf of the School of Health and Education, Middlesex University.

Investigators

Principal investigator: Sinead Mehigan
Other investigators: Kathy Wilson, Anki Odelius, Kevin Corbett, Jacqueline Grove
Funded by: HENCEL

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December 2014 - March 2015

Investigators

Principal investigator: Dr Sinead Mehigan 
Other investigators: Professor Michael Traynor, Kathy Wilson
Funded by: HENCEL

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2014

Purpose of the study

The project aimed to provide HENCEL with a detailed review of progress of nursing research and development being delivered through the nurse consultant role across north central and east London. We were able to conclude from the project that nurse consultants were created as an occupational position without an initial precise definition of their role. Their numbers and precise remits have therefore developed organically, with no necessary agreed set of activities that define the role.

Investigators

Principal investigators: Professor Michael Traynor, Professor Sue Dyson
Other investigators: Dr Liang Liu
Funded by: HENCEL

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October 2013 - July 2014

Investigators

Principal investigator: Kathy Wilson
Other investigators: Professor Michael Traynor, Dr Sinead Mehigan, Oznur Korukcu 
Funded by: HENCEL
Funding amount: £70,000

Download project report