Being part of the team: A case study which examines the experiences and perceptions of a postgraduate taught student involvement in an ongoing research project

Postgraduate students in the UK face many challenges when returning to study. These include lack of confidence in their own knowledge and skills which may create anxiety (Bamber, Choudhary, Hislop & Lane 2017) and have a negative impact on their learning experience (Coneyworth, Jessop, Maden & White, 2020). Tobbell et al (2010) argue that there is often an assumption that the postgraduate student possesses expert knowledge due to prior experiences which may contrast with the students’ own perceptions. Therefore, to address and support the development and acquisition of student knowledge it is important to explore and understand the student’s experience so that the curriculum can be enhanced and improved. This is particularly relevant when providing research education to postgraduate students as this will enhance future career aspirations (Daniel, 2016) and the provision of evidence-based care in practice. To develop this understanding, it is proposed that a postgraduate student's experience of participating in an ongoing research project will be examined. This research project is aligned to the student’s research topic that they have explored during the level 7 research modules. This will facilitate a nuanced understanding of the student's experience which can be used to inform the curriculum in the future

Protecting the public: an investigation of midwives' perceptions of regulation and the regulator

Abstract Objective: to investigate the perceptions of a group of midwifery registrants about the influence of regulation and the regulatory body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, on the practice of midwives in the United Kingdom Design: quantitative and qualitative research using an online survey and semi-structured interviews Setting: The South East of England, which covers both urban and rural practice settings. Participants: (a) 132 (n=70%) midwives responded to the online survey, and (b) 20 midwives participated in the semi-structured interviews Findings: midwives were generally supportive of the need to regulate practice; however, some participants had an uneasy relationship with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and claimed to practice defensively, due to a fear that they could be removed from the register, and believed the regulator to be remote and punitive. For other participants concerns were raised about fitness to practice procedures, particularly in terms of decision making. Key Conclusions: the participants felt that in order for midwifery regulation to be effective the regulator needs to have detailed knowledge and appreciation of the role of the midwife, and the needs of the pregnant woman

Does being involved in a research project enhance the postgraduate taught student experience: A qualitative research case study

Background: Postgraduate taught nursing students face many challenges, including lack of confidence in their own knowledge and skills which might create anxiety and impact on the development of research expertise. Therefore, to address and support the development and acquisition of student understanding it is important to explore and be cognizant of the student’s experience. This will facilitate enhancement of the curriculum, whilst improving future career aspirations and the provision of evidence-based care in practice. Aim: To evaluate the participation of a postgraduate taught nursing student in a research project. Design: Case study methodology was used to explore the lived experience of participating in a research project. Methods: Mixed qualitative methods were used which included a semi-structured interview and photo-elicitation whereby the participant provided a significant photograph for discussion during the semi-structured interview. Results: Analysis revealed 2 superordinate themes which focused on 1) The Impact of learning and 2) The Workplace Environment. Conclusions: The participation in living research, as part of a collaborative team has the potential to nurture the confidence of the student in their own abilities to generate new knowledge which can inform the provision of care. The workplace needs to be invested in this journey with leadership valuing the contribution that participation in research can make to the delivery of care. Leaders of postgraduate taught programmes should consider ways which would benefit students to reflect participation in ongoing research

Protecting the public: the current regulation of midwifery

Pregnancy and childbirth has long held a place at the centre of communities globally and as a result, the provision of care to the pregnant woman has been a source of interest and fascination to governments and society alike. The United Kingdom is no exception. At the start of the twentieth century with the enactment of the Midwives Registration Act in 1902, the work of the midwife for the first time became regulated by this early piece of legislation. As the 20th century progressed the regulatory and legal frameworks that governed midwifery also developed, such that the current practice of midwifery and the provision of maternity care is now influenced by a myriad of regulation. Despite these controls there is little empirical data, particularly in relation to the practice of midwives, which demonstrates the effectiveness of these systems and strategies. Whilst it is true that maternal mortality and stillbirth rates have never been lower (Knight el al, 2014), patient safety incidents (NHS England, 2014), and claims of clinical negligence in obstetrics have continued to climb over the past thirty years (NHSLA, 2014). This raises the question of whether the current statutory aim of ‘protecting the public’ is being realised, and whether the regulatory mechanisms which were devised to ensure the health and wellbeing of the public who access the maternity services, undermine or promote quality care. The aim of this study therefore is to explore the perceptions and experiences of governance and regulation in the clinical setting amongst a sample of midwifery practitioners. The study offers a socio-legal exploration of midwifery governance and legal frameworks (Ewick and Sibley, 1998) and examines the ‘lived experience’ of participants, so that their understanding of regulation and its influence on the role of the midwife could be described and analysed (van Mannen, 1990). The study was carried out between March 2012 and March 2013 and included midwives who worked in both the NHS and private sectors in the South East of England. The study gathered quantitative data via an online survey which was distributed to 192 midwives and which had a 70% response rate. It also collected qualitative data via 20 face to face semi-structured interviews. On analysis the data presents a complex picture of regulation particularly in relation to views and opinions of clinical governance, the NMC and statutory supervision. The themes which emerged included; the impact of regulation on the provision of care, the role of regulation in facilitating woman centred care, and unease about mechanisms used to address issues of poor practice. Whilst good practice was evident, concerns and challenges also arose as a result of the regulatory frameworks, which at times did not appear to support the provision of safe quality care as the legislation intended

The use of drama within midwifery education to facilitate the understanding of professional behaviour and values

Objective: To develop student midwife understanding of professional values and the application of these in clinical practice, prior to commencing their first clinical placement. Design: An action research project. Setting: A Simulation Suite environment within a University setting. Participants: 6 year 3 drama students and a cohort of 36 midwifery students. Findings: The students were supportive of the idea of collaborative projects as this permitted the facilitation of student understanding of key professional values and their application in the clinical setting. Key Conclusions: The students felt that the move away from a didactic approach to learning and teaching towards a more experiential model of teaching, enabled a more in depth reflection on the importance of professional standards and behaviour when providing care to pregnant women

Implementing creative methods in baby loss research: Exploring stillbirth bereaved parents’ journeys through collage

Grieving the loss of a baby may feel excruciatingly painful for parents. The rate of stillbirth in the United Kingdom is approximately eight babies per day. However, the rate of stillbirth disproportionally affects Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) families. This paper explores an ongoing doctoral project which incorporates collage-making as a creative method to explore how BAME stillbirth bereaved parents access bereavement support. Creative methods may generate findings that can better reach public audiences to spark transformational change. Collage is a visual interpretive tool that is generally accessible to the public. Collages are often created by selecting images from magazines or newspapers or textured paper mediums, where the participants cut or alters the images and arranges and attaches them to mediums such as cardboard or paper. Incorporating collage in research can serve as a useful method when engaging with participants who are perhaps not comfortable communicating their thoughts about sensitive subjects. In addition to using collage as a creative research method, this study also features collage as a reflexive tool. Collage is an efficient tool for uncovering what is not said out loud about grief, but which is very much present within a grieving person. Breaking the silence and sharing the loss of a child through creative methods enhances the understanding of the experience of perinatal loss and provides a voice to those who would otherwise remain unheard

Enhancing knowledge and skills through the delivery of a bespoke neonatal resuscitation training programme in a developing country

Objective: This paper presents the design, implementation and immediate outcomes of an educational intervention in neonatal resuscitation. Setting: The training programme took place in Sub-Saharan Africa. Participants 50 midwives, nurses, neonatal, paediatric doctors, and anaesthetists, who provide care during labour and birth. Interventions: The design, implementation and immediate evaluation of a training programme was based on a "train the trainer" and an outreach programme approach which was delivered over five days. All candidates received one day training in knowledge and skills for immediate care and resuscitation of the newborn. In addition, those "trained to train" attended additional sessions to observe teaching and were equipped with relevant information and material to perpetuate the training. Measurements and findings: Immediate evaluation was undertaken by comparing pre- and post-training knowledge. The total average pre-test score was 63.5% and the total average post-test score 83.8%. There was an increase in knowledge for every individual except two where knowledge remained static. Qualitative comments about the training were also obtained which were very positive. Key conclusions: The training programme was successfully implemented and has largely achieved its objectives in impacting participant knowledge and skills. Furthermore a team of trainers has been equipped with the knowledge, skills and material to cascade the training further. Overall the project had achieved its immediate objectives through the educational strategies employed

Application of ERTS-A imagery to fracture related mine safety hazards in the coal mining industry

The author has identified the following significant results. The most important result to date is the demonstration of the special value of repetitive ERTS-1 multiband coverage for detecting previously unknown fracture lineaments despite the presence of a deep glacial overburden. The Illinois Basin is largely covered with glacial drift and few rock outcrops are present. A contribution to the geological understanding of Illinois and Indiana has been made. Analysis of ERTS-1 imagery has provided useful information to the State of Indiana concerning the surface mined lands. The contrast between healthy vegetation and bare ground as imaged by Band 7 is sharp and substantial detail can be obtained concerning the extent of disturbed lands, associated water bodies, large haul roads, and extent of mined lands revegetation. Preliminary results of analysis suggest a reasonable correlation between image-detected fractures and mine roof fall accidents for a few areas investigated. ERTS-1 applications to surface mining operations appear probable, but further investigations are required. The likelihood of applying ERTS-1 derived fracture data to improve coal mine safety in the entire Illinois Basin is suggested from studies conducted in Indiana

Formulas establish audio range inductance in beryllium coils

Mathematical modeling is used to determine the effects of resistance and capacitance upon the audio-inductance range of beryllium hammer coils and beryllium nylon-potted coils

A comparative analysis of the decoupling effects in a magnetic forming beryllium coil assembly

Digital computer for determining currents and forces in magnetic forming beryllium coil assembl