Developing involvement during a programme of recovery research

Purpose To consider the process of working with a Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAP) and its outcomes in REFOCUS, a large 5 year programme of recovery research. Design Narrative reflections on the experience of working with LEAP were collected from five members and the Chair of LEAP, two REFOCUS researchers and the Principal Investigator (PI). These were synthesised to show both the process and outcomes of LEAP involvement in REFOCUS, and how involvement evolved organically over time. Findings Individual reflective accounts showed how working with LEAP impacted (to a greater or lesser extent) on each individual involved in the process, providing new insights and influencing, to varying degrees, the way in which they then worked with LEAP. Synthesis of the reflections showed how these changes impacted organically on LEAP's process of involvement, with a shift in LEAP's role from being purely consultative/advisory towards one which was much more about co-production, with LEAP proactively contributing to some aspects of Refocus in the later stages of the study. Practical implications We stress the importance of considering process as well as outcomes in Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), and make practical recommendations for improving both in future programmes of research. Originality/value This is the first empirical evaluation of user and carer involvement and its development during a large recovery research programme

Do 2 with VCU: A Community Engagement Initiative

Do 2 with VCU will be a day-long Expo highlighting volunteer activities and opportunities with up to 100 community partners. VCU faculty and staff will be encouraged to collaborate with these community partners by using their 16 hours of community service leave provided by VCU. The Expo will culminate with a Keynote Speaker for this inaugural event. This year we have selected author and activist, Elaine Brown; she will deliver an address on the importance of community activism and service which will be marketed to the greater Richmond area. This project was designed around Theme IV of the VCU Quest for Distinction: “Become a national model for community engagement and regional impact.

Community Engagement Living-Learning Programs: Build it Well and They Will Come

Objectives for this presentation were: (1) overview the literature on benefits and models of living-learning programs; (2) describe the components of VCU\u27s new community-engagement living-learning program, VCU ASPiRE; (3) introduce a theoretical model for building high-quality community-engagement living-learning programs; (4) facilitate discussion amongst participants to exchange ideas and to begin strategic problem-solving that will create high-quality community engagement, living-learning programs; and (5) provide living-learning program online resources

Method for estimating mean particle size from high-frequency fluctuations in beam attenuation or scattering measurements

The ability to estimate mean particle size using simple, low-power optical instruments promises to greatly expand coverage of particle size measurements in the ocean and advance understanding of myriad processes from sediment transport to biological carbon sequestration. Here we present a method for estimating the mean diameter of particles in suspension from high-resolution time series of simple optical measurements, such as beam attenuation or optical backscattering. Validation results from a laboratory clay aggregation experiment show a good fit with independent mean particle diameter estimates in the 10-80 μm diameter range, with relative biases of 17%-38% and relative root mean square errors of 10%-24%. In the 80-200 μm range, quantitative validation data were not available, but our mean diameter estimates correlated strongly with particle settling rates

Using Reflective Practice to Study the Impact of Community Engagement

Research was conducted in order to determine the impact of the study of community engagement on students who participated in undergraduate community engagement coursework

The Impact of Reflective Practice on Teacher Candidates\u27 Learning

Reflection is a high impact practice that develops teacher candidates’ learning. Critical reflection requires teacher candidates to continually examine their own thoughts, perspectives, biases, and actions. Reflective practice facilitates the development of new knowledge, skills, and dispositions in teacher candidates by fostering critical contemplation of actions in a real-world environment. Reflection practice is specifically used when students study education in a university course and apply what they learn in a related field experience in a K-12 school. This study was conducted in order to determine the impact of reflective practice on teacher candidates enrolled in a course focused on developmental sciences in a context of poverty. Results demonstrate what level of research is required to prepare teacher candidates to make instructional decisions as well as become self-aware of their perspectives and attitudes in teaching

Psychometric evaluation of the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery (QPR)

Background: Supporting recovery is the aim of national mental health policy in many countries, including England. There is a need for standardised measures of recovery, to assess policy implementation and inform clinical practice. Only one measure of recovery has been developed in England: the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery (QPR) which measures recovery from the perspective of adult mental health service users with a psychosis diagnosis. Aims: To independently evaluate the psychometric properties of the 15-item and 22-item versions of QPR. Method: Two samples were used: Dataset 1 (n=88) involved assessment of QPR at baseline, two weeks and three months. Dataset 2 (n=399; ISRCTN02507940) involved assessment of QPR at baseline and one year. Results: For the 15-item version, internal consistency was 0.89, convergent validity was 0.73, test-retest reliability was 0.74 and sensitivity to change was 0.40. Confirmatory factor analysis showed the 15-item version offered a good fit. For the 22 item version comprising two sub-scales, the Interpersonal sub-scale was found to under-perform and the Intrapersonal sub-scale overlaps substantially with the 15 item version. Conclusions: Both the 15-item and the Intrapersonal sub-scale of the 22-item versions of the QPR demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties. The 15-item version is slightly more robust and also less burdensome, so it can be recommended for use in research and clinical practice. Declaration of interest: None

Plans, Preferences or Going with the Flow: an Online Exploration of Women’s Views and Experiences of Birth Plans

Objective To explore women’s views of birth plans, and experiences of their completion and use. Design A qualitative, exploratory study, using Internet-mediated research methods. Setting The discussion boards of two well-known, UK-based, online parenting forums, where a series of questions relating to birth plans were posted. Participants Members of the selected parenting forums who had written and used, or who had chosen not to write or use, a birth plan. Findings Women responded with a range of views and experiences relating to the completion and use of birth plans. The benefits of birth plans were described in terms of communication with healthcare professionals, potentially enhancing awareness of available options, and maintaining a sense of control during labour and birth. However, many respondents believed the idea of ‘planning’ birth was problematic, and described a reluctance to write a formal plan. The support of healthcare professionals, particularly midwives, was considered essential to the success of both writing and using birth plans. Key conclusions Our findings show a continued debate among women on the benefits and challenges involved in writing and using birth plans, suggesting problems for a ‘one size fits all’ approach often seen in the use of birth plan templates. In the context of maternity policy supporting women’s choice and personalised care, and as a way of acknowledging perceived problems of ‘planning’ for birth, a flexible approach to birth plans is required, including the consideration of employing alternative nomenclature. Implications for practice Birth plans remain a point of contention in care contexts around the world. Midwives and other healthcare providers play a central role in supporting women to discuss available options, whether or not they decide to complete a formal birth plan

Development and evaluation of an Individualised Outcome Measure (IOM) for randomised controlled trials in mental health

Predefined, researcher-selected outcomes are routinely used as the clinical end-point in randomised controlled trials (RCTs); however, individualised approaches may be an effective way to assess outcome in mental health research. The present study describes the development and evaluation of the Individualised Outcome Measure (IOM), which is a patient-specific outcome measure to be used for RCTs of complex interventions. IOM was developed using a narrative review, expert consultation and piloting with mental health service users (n=20). The final version of IOM comprises two components: Goal Attainment (GA) and Personalised Primary Outcome (PPO). For GA, patients identify one relevant goal at baseline and rate its attainment at follow-up. For PPO, patients choose an outcome domain related to their goal from a predefined list at baseline, and complete a standardised questionnaire assessing the chosen outcome domain at baseline and follow-up. A feasibility study indicated that IOM had adequate completion (89%) and acceptability (96%) rates in a clinical sample (n=84). IOM was then evaluated in an RCT (ISRCTN02507940). GA and PPO components were associated with each other and with the trial primary outcome. The use of the PPO component of IOM as the primary outcome could be considered in future RCTs