Forums > Non-Medical R&D Forum
The non-medical research forum was set up in 2005 at University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust. Our aim is to provide guidance and support for nurses and allied health professionals wishing to undertake research within the Trust. We also wish to encourage staff new to research to develop their skills and interest in research.
We intend to hold regular meetings which all nurses and allied health professionals are welcome to attend. The meetings will provide a friendly supportive atmosphere where issues can be discussed and support given.
Forthcoming Events:
These events are open to all nurses, midwives and AHPs. To book your place, please contact Julia Collins on 5856.
| Monday 22 October |
Following the success of April's Evidence Based Practice workshop, another is planned for October. Further details will be released as soon as possible. |
From Clinical Problem to Research Question
Problems and questions come up in clinical practice on a daily basis:
- Is there another way to do this?
- Why do some patients have this problem after this procedure?
- How can we educate patients and families in such a short time?
- What’s the best method for providing information to patients?
- How can we prevent this problem from happening?
- When are patients most likely to be at risk for this complication?
- Do patients have a better outcome if we do this or that?
Sometimes the questions don’t go any further because of time and work, or because we believe we know the answers.
Sometimes we can go to the research literature or database of systematic reviews and find the answers.
Sometimes the question does need to be developed into a research question.
To do this, you need to be as clear and precise as you can be about what it is you want to know. The precision of the research question will help with the design of the study.
Examples of research questions that have arisen from nursing practice:
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How do nurses assess and manage pain and anxiety in patients after gastro-surgical procedures?1
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What are patients’ and carers’ perceptions of information received during hospitalisation concerning their care after discharge? 2
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What are asthma patients preferred treatment decision-making roles? 3
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Will having peer support (another patient with heart failure taught to help other patients) decrease social isolation, improve self-care and decrease rehospitalisation in patients with heart failure? 4
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Does nasogastric tube feeding with iso-osmolar formula affect serum sodium, potassium and glucose levels in patients with acute brain infarction?5
These are just some of the many questions that arise during everyday practise. If you have an interest in research, a specific topic you would like to investigate further, or would just like to learn a bit more about us, why not come along to one of our meetings?
References
- Manias E. Pain and anxiety management in the postoperative gastrosurgical setting. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2003; 41: 585 – 594.
- Driscoll A. Managing post-discharge care at home: An analysis of patients’ and their carers’ perceptions of information received during their stay in hospital. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2000; 31: 1165 – 1173.
- Caress A-L, Luker K, Woodcock A, Beaver K. A qualitative exploration of treatment decision-making roles in adult asthma patients. Health expectations. 2002; 5: 223 – 235.
- Riegel B, Carlson B. Is individual peer support a promising intervention for persons with heart failure? Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. 2004; 19: 174 – 183.
- Oh H, Suh Y, Hwang S, Seo W. Effects of nasogastric tube feeding on serum sodium, potassium and glucose levels. Journal of Nursing Scholarship. 2005; 37: 141 – 147.
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