A mixed-mode approach to data collection: combining web and paper questionnaires to examine nurses' attitudes to mental illness

guise v., chambers m., välimäki m. & makkonen p. (2010) A mixed-mode approach to data collection: combining web and paper questionnaires to examine nurses' attitudes to mental illness. Journal of Advanced Nursing Abstract Title. A mixed-mode approach to data collection: combining web and paper questionnaires to examine nurses' attitudes to mental illness Aim. This paper is a report an evaluation of the use of a sequential mixed-mode approach to data collection in a study of attitudes to mental illness and people with mental health problems held by Registered Nurses working in adult acute inpatient and psychiatric intensive care settings. Background. The use of electronic tools for data collection is becoming increasingly common in nursing research. Currently there is a lack of reports of the use of mixed-mode designs featuring both web and paper questionnaires. The efficacy of this approach remains unclear. Method. Web and paper versions of a questionnaire including the Community Attitudes towards the Mentally Ill scale were distributed in 2007 to all 148 Registered Nurses working in acute care settings in an English mental healthcare organization. Results. The mixed-mode design was successful in increasing overall response rate. Data collection mode was indicative of statistically significantly different response rates, but had no impact on differences in nurses' socio-demographic characteristics or attitudes to mental illness. The use of email reminders had a positive impact on the web questionnaire return rate. Conclusion. Future nursing studies could benefit from a mixed-mode study design to attain increased response rates and reduce non-response bias, although further research should be undertaken with larger groups of nurses to verify consistently the absence of mode effect on study outcomes

Development, implementation and initial evaluation of narrative virtual patients for use in vocational mental health nurse training

Simulation techniques such as virtual patients (VPs) are valuable tools for teaching and learning a range of clinical proficiencies. Compared with other forms of simulation, however, the reported use of VPs within nursing is limited. Descriptions of simple, low cost methods for the development of VP devices could help facilitate their wider implementation and use in nursing education and training. In order to encourage broader use of VP technologies within nursing, this paper aims to expand current knowledge of VP creation by reference to the development of two virtual mental health patients produced for a multilingual e-learning course for European mental health nurses. Focusing on narrative VPs, the paper provides a brief overview of various types and potential uses of VP techniques, along with central elements of good practice in VP development. The five phase development framework used in the creation of the two VPs is presented. Processes detailed include the design and construction of case scenarios and multimedia components, in addition to initial usability and validity testing. VPs like those described here are a relatively inexpensive way of integrating virtual simulation technology into nursing education, particularly within online, blended and/or cross-cultural learning environments

Nurses' attitudes to mental illness: a comparison of a sample of nurses from five European countries

BACKGROUND: Mental health problems are of serious concern across Europe. A major barrier to the realisation of good mental health and well-being is stigma and discrimination. To date there is limited knowledge or understanding of mental health nurses' attitudes towards mental illness and individuals experiencing mental health problems. OBJECTIVES: To describe and compare attitudes towards mental illness and those experiencing mental health problems across a sample of registered nurses working in mental health settings from five European countries and the factors associated with these attitudes. DESIGN: A questionnaire survey. SETTINGS: A total of 72 inpatient wards and units and five community facilities in Finland, Lithuania, Ireland, Italy and Portugal. PARTICIPANTS: 810 registered nurses working in mental health settings. METHODS: The data were collected using The Community Attitudes towards the Mentally Ill (CAMI) scale, which is a 40-item self-report questionnaire. The data were analysed using quantitative methods. RESULTS: Nurses' attitudes were mainly positive. Attitudes differed across countries, with Portuguese nurses' attitudes being significantly more positive and Lithuanian nurses' attitudes being significantly more negative than others'. Positive attitudes were associated with being female and having a senior position. CONCLUSIONS: Though European mental health nurses' attitudes to mental illness and people with mental health problems differ significantly across some countries, they are largely similar. The differences observed could be related to wider social, cultural and organisational circumstances of nursing practice