Do NHS libraries have a role in providing information to patients, carers and the public?

Ten years ago, the UK government outlined a strategy that aimed to ‘ensure that patients, carers and the public have the information necessary to make decisions about their own treatment and care’ and suggested that the ‘NHS has a major responsibility to provide or enable access to relevant and reliable information’ (DH 1998). Given that one of the main roles of an NHS Library is the provision of access and training to health information for NHS staff and that health librarians are skilled in accessing, using and to some extent understanding health care information, to some it may seem a logical step for NHS Libraries to be involved in the provision of health information to patients. This may not necessarily mean opening up the library to patients, but supporting other NHS staff to provide information to patients. However there are also issues about duplication, appropriateness and implementation that should be taken into consideration when examining the role of the NHS Library in providing information for patient care. This report describes a project that aimed to explore these issues by asking: • What public sector based information services are currently provided to patients and carers in the North West and by whom? • What are the views of key stakeholders regarding: o Whether NHS Libraries should provide information to patients and carers? o Whether NHS Libraries could provide information to patients and carers? o What type of services could be offered? o What roles could NHS Libraries play? • If NHS Libraries were to provide information to patients and carers, what would be needed to facilitate and/or support them? By answering these research questions, the report aims to provide: 1. A ‘map’ of the provision of public sector based patient information services in the North West 2. An overview of stakeholder views regarding the role of NHS Libraries in the provision of information to patient

Evaluation of the organisation and delivery of patient-centred acute nursing care

In 2002, a team of researchers from the School of Nursing, University of Salford were commissioned by Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust to evaluate the delivery and organisation of patient-centred nursing care across the acute nursing wards within the Royal Bolton Hospital. The key driver for the commissioning of this study arose from two serious untoward incidents that occurred in the year 2000. Following investigation of both these events the Director of Nursing in post at that time believed that poor organisation and delivery of care may have been a contributory factor. Senior nurses in the Trust had also expressed their concern that care may not be organised in a way that made best use of the skills available

An evidence-based approach to measuring affective domain development

Background: Educational taxonomies are utilised within nursing programmes to design curriculum, develop learning objectives, and measure attainments including the assessment of values, behaviours, and attitudes. Current measurement of the affective domain is limited, relying on quantitative tools, often immediately before and after learning activities. Purpose: This paper examines the reliability of a qualitative framework to assess the long-term impact of learning activities known to stimulate affective domain development. Method: Epstein's (1977) qualitative framework was applied to the self-reported responses of twelve international nurses (20–24 months post nurse registration) who had engaged in learning activities during their preregistration programme that were considered to be enrichment (international placement, interprofessional learning, simulation and blended learning). Results: Epstein's framework was used to measure the degree of affective domain development from the self reported responses of the students. The degree of modification in affective domain development was assessed as identification level (assuming a different attitude or behaviour) for four nurses and internalisation stage for eight nurses (embracing new values and attitudes). Conclusion: Epstein's framework is a reliable tool that can capture the short and long-term modification in affective domain development of nurses after they have experienced transformational learning activities. Key elements that move a nurse from identification to internalisation level are the motivating reason for undertaking the activity and reflection on the learning

An examination of how the ‘Household Model' of care can contribute to positive ageing for residents in the ‘Fourth Age’

Background: Promoting a good quality of life for the oldest members of society has become a top priority as evidenced in UK policy. The ‘household’ model is a departure from traditional approaches to care provision since it offers person-centred support - combining health and social care - to older people in specially-designed, small, homelike environments. Having gained increasing popularity in care homes across developed countries, the impact of this model of service delivery on residents’ quality of life and its contribution to positive ageing is of increasing interest. Belong is a not-for-profit, UK care organisation currently operating several villages under the household model. The villages comprise independent living apartments (bought or rented) and residential/nursing care households offering 24 hours personalised, on-site care for residents. In each village there is a range of facilities open to the public (including a Bistro, hairdressers and gym facilities) and a domiciliary community service. Methods: In this paper we present new data generated from qualitative interviews with a sample of household residents in the ‘Fourth Age’ and relatives across two villages in the North West of England, UK. Results: We examine how the household model as operated at Belong facilitates the maintenance of autonomy and independence - which underpins positive ageing and quality of life in the fourth age - among residents. Conclusion: We show how the household model contributes to positive ageing and quality of life as defined by residents

Maintaining harmony : how religion and culture are interwoven in managing daily diabetes self‑care

The lingering culture among Javanese people cannot be separated from religion, influencing how they perceive any factors that might play a role in managing any health condition. This present study aimed in exploring the perceptions and experiences of religion and culture in performing daily self-care among Javanese Muslim with type 2 diabetes. A qualitative study with thematic content analysis method utilizing in-depth semi-structured interviews was undertaken to explore the perceptions and experiences of Javanese Muslim with diabetes managing their daily self-care activity. Convenient samples of 24 participants were selected to gain a richer understanding of self-care activity. The study identified one main theme of ‘maintaining harmony’ with comprised of two sub-themes: ‘surrender and accept’, and ‘keep trying and leave the rest to Allah, a concept of tawakkal’. The first sub-theme consists of categories of: nerimo ing pandum, or accepting with sincerity, and tepo seliro, or being tolerance with others. The second sub-theme consists of three categories: being independent, social ties, and embracing Allah. The study also reveals the importance of Pengajian and Persadia as social resources in enhancing the capability to better self-care the condition. Thus, it also reveals the need to further develop diabetes education programmes in collaboration with religious leaders and health professionals to promote self-care to complement religious practice: Tawakkal or ‘Keep trying and leave the rest to Allah’

A co-designed social media intervention to satisfy information needs and improve outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease : a longitudinal study

Background The number of people living with a long-term condition is increasing worldwide. Social media offers opportunities for patients to exchange information and experiences with others with the same condition, potentially leading to better self-management and improved patient outcomes, at minimal costs to health service providers. Objective This paper describes how an online network with a range of social media platforms was created, with the help of a group of patients with chronic kidney disease, and specialist professionals. The project evaluation considered whether information needs and health-related and social outcomes were met. Methods Longitudinal in-depth evaluation of the creation of the moderated network; observation of the use of the platforms; self-efficacy surveys (baseline and 6 months); semistructured interviews (at baseline and 6 months). Results 15 patients and professionals participated in the co-design of the network (hub), initially launched with 50 patients. Several platforms were needed to engage patients at different levels, and encourage generation of information, with the support of moderators. 14 separate patients participated in the evaluation. Satisfaction of information needs through social engagement improved self-efficacy (in 13 participants) with better self-care and management of illness. Social outcomes included seeking employment and an increase in social capital. Conclusion: An online network (hub) with several social media platforms helped patients with chronic kidney disease to manage their condition. Careful design with users resulted in a sustainable network with wider applicability across health and social care