Research & Development Co-ordinating Centre Weekly E- Bulletin
20 August 2007
RCN Research and Development Co-ordinating Centre
1. RCN Research and Development (R&D) Co-ordinating Centre NEW contact details
The RCN R&D Co-ordinating Centre will be moving offices on 25 August 2007. The new details are:
Research & Development Co-ordinating Centre Royal College of Nursing Chesham House, St George's Square BOLTON BL1 2HB
Jenifer Caveney Tel: 01204-552 470 Fax: 01204-552 444 Email: [email protected]
Dave O'Carroll Tel: 01204-552 471 Fax: 01204-552 444 Email: [email protected]
2. RCN 2008 annual international nursing research conference Call for Papers
Liverpool, England, 8 - 11 April 2008
The International Nursing Research conference is the annual showcase conference of the RCN Research Society. The aim of the conference is to present knowledge from the leading edge of nursing research. Abstracts are welcome about a research project or a related research issue from anyone who has registered for the conference.
Keynote speakers include: Brendan McCormack, Professor of Nursing Research, University of Ulster and Director of Nursing Research and Practice Development, Royal Hospitals Trust, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Ruth Northway, Professor of Learning Disability Nursing, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, Wales
Andrea Baumann, Associate Vice-President, Faculty of Health Sciences, International Health & Director, Nursing Health Services, Research Unit, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Contact: Kathryn Clark, Assistant Conference & Events Manager Tel: 020 7647 3585, Fax: 020 7647 3411 Email: [email protected] Website: < http://www.rcn.org.uk/research2008/ >
Abstract deadline: 17 September 2007
RCN Research Society
3. NEW RCN Research Society Northern Region Steering group - RCN research nurses required
The RCN Research Society Northern Region group are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join their newly formed RCN Research Nurse Steering group. They would like to hear from you if you are committed and enthusiastic and feel you would like to develop and influence RCN research nurse activity within the northern region. The commitment will include attending six weekly two hour meetings based in Newcastle upon Tyne. The group are looking for a total of 20 representatives including nurse researchers, midwife researchers, clinical research nurses, clinical nurses and educationalists across all specialities and geographical boundaries within the northern region. The RCN northern region boundaries are from Darlington to Berwick upon Tweed. For an informal discussion or Expression of Interest contact one of the Research Society members below.
Contact: Dr Debbie Carrick-Sen or Jane Eastland Email: [email protected] or Jane.Eastland@northumbria- healthcare.nhs.uk Website: < http://www2.rcn.org.uk/researchanddevelopment/rs/networking/ >
Closing date: 1 September 2007
RCN Research Society Northern Region group meetings 2007
Meeting room, Clinical Research Facility, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne
27 September 2007, 2.00 - 4.00pm 7 November 2007, 10.00 - 12.00pm 10 December 2007, 3.00 - 5.00pm* (* followed by Xmas meal in Newcastle)
4. RCN Research Society East of England group - News and events for 2007
PowerPoint presentation crash course - 20 September 2007, 1.00 - 3.30pm
Would you like to learn how to put presentations and posters together? This event provides a hands on workshop with a highly experienced medical illustrator.
Basic research skills for nurses - 1 – 2 October, 2007
This two-day course provides the novice researcher with the basics required to understand the research process and the information required for starting your own projects.
Both courses will take place at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.
Contact: Dot Chatfield Tel: 01223 274446 Email [email protected]
East of England regional group meeting/ AGM
Mumford Theatre, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, 16 October 2007, 14.30 – 15.30
Mental Capacity Act workshop
Mumford Theatre, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, 16 October 2007, 16.00– 18.00
The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) has implications for all areas of nursing practice. This workshop will focus on the impact of the MCA and the best way to integrate the act into every day practice.
The workshop will be lead by experts in various fields of practice, with discussions about the implications of the Act for nurses and will be followed by an interactive question time.
The meeting and workshop precede the Winifred Memorial Lecture. See below for details.
Contact: Joanne Outtrim Email: [email protected]
Website: < http://www2.rcn.org.uk/researchanddevelopment/rs/networking/ >
5. RCN Research Society Winifred Raphael Memorial Lecture 2007
Mumford Theatre, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, England, 16 October 2007, 7 – 8pm
This year's lecture, "A short history of nursing ethics", will be presented by Professor Martin Johnson, Director of the Salford Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Collaborative Research (SCNMCR), University of Salford and Editor of Nurse Education Today. Admission is free and it is open to all.
contact: Jenifer Caveney email: [email protected] website: < http://tinyurl.com/2zmcl7 >
Download the < Winifried Raphel memorial lecture 2007 flier > (Word doc 24K)
Career Development Opportunities
6. Health Foundation: The Health Foundation Leadership Fellows
Nurses are being urged to apply for this scheme which aims to develop individuals who have the potential to become future leaders of high quality healthcare. It provides a highly individualised personal and professional development programme to strengthen leadership skills. Participants acquire the skills and insights to enable them to make an outstanding contribution to improving the quality of patient care.
Contact: The Health Foundation Email: [email protected] Tel: 020 7257 8000
Website: < http://www.health.org.uk/current_work/open_for_applications/hflf.html >
Deadline for submissions: 10 September 2007
Current Research Commissions
7. National Institute for Health Research, Central Commissioning Facility Policy Research Programme: Tackling obesity: synthesis and management of evidence from evaluations of national policies – Call for proposals
The Department of Health is inviting full proposals for a project to harness the potential of existing evidence to inform the development and evaluation of policy relating to obesity.
The Policy Research Programme’s purpose is to provide, through high quality research, a knowledge base for health services policy, social services policy and central policies directed at the health of the population as a whole.
In 2004, the Government published a Public Service Agreement on obesity to halt the year-on-year rise in obesity among children aged under 11 by 2010, in the context of a broader strategy to tackle obesity in the population as a whole.
The key aim of this project is to give an overview of findings relating to impact and implementation of the major strands of current obesity policy, with a particular focus on the impact on inequalities in health. For more information see the website.
Website: www.nihr-ccf.org.uk/site/callsproposals/prp/default.cfm
Deadline for bids: 17 September 2007
Fellowships/Studentships
8. University of Worcester, Institute of Health, Social Care and Psychology studentships
Applications are invited for
- one full time three year PhD studentship in Institute of Health, Social Care and Psychology around the topic: Monitoring side effects of chemotherapy via mobile phone: dose optimisation and patient experience
- one full time MPhil in a topic area of interest to the faculty of Health and Social Care with the potential to transfer to a PhD
A stipend of 12,300 GBP per year is available and tuition fees at home rate only will be paid.
Contact: Professor Dominic Upton Email: [email protected] Website: < http://www.worc.ac.uk/research/fullyfundedstudentships/ >
Closing date for receipt of application: 4 September 2007
9. Action Medical Research: Research training fellowships
Action Medical Research is inviting applications for fellowships for training in research techniques and methodology in a subject relevant to the overall aims of the charity. Applicants have an opportunity to undertake a period of research training which will be relevant to their future careers. With the exception of cancer, cardiovascular and HIV/AIDS research, Action Medical Research support a broad spectrum of research with the objective of: preventing disease and disability (affecting all age groups) and alleviating physical disability with an emphasis is on clinical research or research at the clinical/basic interface.
A period of up to three years will be considered. Starting salary will be dependent on age, qualifications and experience. Applications with requests above 200,000 GBP are very unlikely to be funded.
Please note, Action Medical Research is not a research institution itself, and cannot offer research facilities to candidates.
Email address: [email protected] Website: < http://www.action.org.uk/research_projects/ >
Closing date for applications: 31 August 2007
Research Training
10. University of Ulster, School of Policy Studies: PGCert/PGDip/MSc Social Research Skills with Specialism(s) DL on-line courses
The School of Policy Studies at the University of Ulster is currently running courses in social research skills via e-learning. A range of flexible options are available for people with bachelor's degrees who wish to develop skills to:
1. carry out research projects from the design to write-up stage 2. critically appraise published and commissioned research 3. commission appropriate research and evaluation studies
The research skills modules are:
1. Survey and Quantitative Research Methods 2. Qualitative Research Methods 3. Research in Public Policy and Evaluation
Modules run for 12 weeks and enrolment takes place three times a year – September, January and April. They are currently enrolling for the next start date 24 September 2007. You can enrol online. For further information see the website.
Contact: Julia S O'Connor, School of Policy Studies Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)2871 375657 Website: < http://campusone.ulster.ac.uk/socialresearchskills > Research Policy/Strategy
11. Chief Scientific Office (CSO): Invitation to respond to a new edition of the Research Strategy for Health and Healthcare
CSO is inviting responses to a revised research strategy for health and healthcare in Scotland. Since the Research Strategy for Health and Healthcare was published over 4 years ago good progress has been made with objectives and priorities identified but also much has changed. The impact of the Cooksey Review; the formation of the Office for the Strategic Co-ordination of Healthcare Research; major new investment in clinical research infrastructure: the inward investment by Wyeth Inc, and a new SNP Government have all helped to change the research environment. The new strategy which will be launched in summer 2008.
Email: [email protected] Address: Rosemarie Pelosi, Chief Scientist Office, GE14, St Andrews House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH13DG Website: < http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/cso/ >
Deadline for responses: 28 September 2007
Consultations Documents
12. RCN led consultation documents
The RCN is asked to comment on a huge array of consultation documents many of which have a very short timescale. To give RCN members a greater opportunity to feed into this process an up-to-date list of consultations is available on the RCN website. Recent consultations with RCN deadlines in brackets include:
October deadlines
Scotland - European Union, Discrimination - Does It Matter? [01/10/2007]
England - Department of Health, A Code of Practice for the use of powers to counter NHS fraud and security incidents [4 October 2007] - Department of Health Consultation for Skin Cancer Measures and additional Gynae Measures [5 October 2007] - The European Union, Discrimination - does it matter? [15 October 2007]
December deadlines
England - The European Commission, Europe's social reality: a stocktaking [31 December 2007]
< http://www2.rcn.org.uk/researchanddevelopment/policy/consultations >
13. Department of Health: Guidance on nominating a consultee for research involving adults who lack capacity to consent - consultation
The Department of Health have produced draft guidance on nominating a consultee for research involving adults who lack capacity to consent, for the purposes of section 32 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and are seeking views on this document. For more information see the website or contact the Department of Health.
Contact: Joanna Edward, Department of Health Fax: 020 7972 4300 Email: [email protected] Website: < http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_076216 >
Consultation deadline: 14 September 2007
Research in Progress
14. Chief Scientist Office (CSO), Scotland, research grants awarded
The Chief Scientist Office (CSO), part of the Scottish Executive Health Directorates, supports and promotes high quality research aimed at improving the services offered by NHS Scotland, and the health of the people of Scotland. CSO: - commissions work in specific priority areas - supports research initiated by the research community in Scotland - advises the Scottish Executive Health Directorates on how research contributes to improvements in health and healthcare
Biomedical and Therapeutic Research Committee
Further details of the projects listed below can be found on the National Research Register
(CZB/4/459) Mechanisms for an effect of N-acetylcysteine on renal function after exposure to radio-graphic contrast material (CZB/4/556) The role of regulation of a translocation associated gene in familial and sporadic autism
Health Services Research Committee
(CZH/4/394) Stress in NHS-24 nurses: Level, determinants and consequences assessed using psychological, physiological and behavioural measures (CZH/4/382) Randomised clinical trial of the effects of total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA: propofol) versus volatile anaesthesia (sevoflurane/N20) on children’s post-operative cognition, behaviour and physical morbidity (CZH/4/391) A study of the epidemiology of infertility in the north east of Scotland (CZH/4/389) Stroke in Scotland 1986-2004: epidemiology and impact on population and health care (CZH/4/400) Depression and long term work incapacity in Scotland: the role of the GP (CZH/4/392) Pragmatic multi-centre randomised trial of (1) routine postoperative ICU care and (2) pre-operative fluid loading in high-risk surgical patients undergoing major elective and urgent surgery (CZH/4/435) Prospective 5 years follow-up of UK patients with borderline personality disorder (CZH/4/432) Ethnicity and health in Scotland: Making the information desert bloom a retrospective cohort study linking health and census databases (CZH/4/395) Long-term morbidity in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism – a population based study Programme grants
(CZB/4/477) Deregulation of androgen receptor signalling in prostate cancer (CZH/6/4) Establishing a Bowel Screening Research Unit
HRSC small grants
(CZG/2/287) Health impact of chronic pain: A cohort record linkage study (CZG/2/285) Temporal trends and outcomes associated with obstetric causes of preterm birth in Scotland (CZG/2/296) Anaphylaxis Management Plans (AMP) for children and adults in the community in the UK: a systematic review and e-Delphi study (CZG/2/277) Investigating the effectiveness of primary prevention strategies using hydrolysed milk formula and probitotic supplements to prevent allergic disease in high risk infants: pilot factorial randomised controlled trial (CZG/2/299) Descriptive and comparative study of patients’ recall of the content of face to face and telephone consultations: a pilot study (CZG/2/289) Indicators of acute deterioration in adult patients nursed in acute wards: what determines nurses' decisions?
CSO Website:
Completed Research & Development - Open Access
15. Saunders C, Crossing S, Girgis1 A, Butow P and Penman A (June 2007), Operationalising a model framework for consumer and community participation in health and medical research, Australia and New Zealand Health Policy 2007, 4:13
The Consumers' Health Forum of Australia and the National Health and Medical Research Council has recently developed a model framework for consumer and community participation in health and medical research in order to better align health and medical research with community need, and improve the impact of research. This paper describes how a large charity organisation, which funds a significant proportion of Australian cancer research, operationalised the model framework using a unique approach demonstrating that it is both possible and reasonable for research to be considerate of public values.
Website: < http://www.anzhealthpolicy.com/content/4/1/13 >
16. Bandolier ends journal production to develop the website
Bandolier ended production of the print and internet journal with issue 161, in July 2007. The website will continue to develop. There will be greater emphasis on longer thoughtful articles, reviews, and methodological issues on a regular basis. All seven back issues are available this month.
Bandolier use evidence-based medicine techniques to provide advice about particular treatments or diseases for healthcare professionals and consumers. Their website includes internet versions of backdated issues of their journals as well as sections on: Knowledge Library (numerous resource centres, where quality evidence on specific health topics are gathered for easy access), Extended Essays (internet essays on specific topics), Healthy Living Zone, Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) Glossary and Oxford Pain site. Bandolier 155 On quotations Mindstretcher: NAC and CIN in coronary angiography How good are trials and interventions in knee arthritis? Almotriptan for acute migraine Mobile phones and cancer Eggs and eyes Catheters, infections, and dressings
Bandolier 156 On lightening up PPIs and fractures Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) Statins in clinical practice Back surgery poser
Bandolier 157 Switching statins Statin adherence and outcomes Pharmacy care in older patients Prevalence of aspirin resistance Genes and AMD Analysing observational studies Adverse events with placebo
Bandolier 158 NSAIDs, coxibs, aspirin, & GI bleeds NSAID & coxib: overall risk Prostate cancer - timing of therapy Revascularisation choices Lignocaine and neurological harm Morning or evening statins March of the older old
Bandolier 159 H-index Epidural and risk: it all depends Value of vision Avastin or Lucentis Race, anaemia, and mortality Activity levels and type-2 diabetes risk Persistence with bisphosphonates
Bandolier 160 On supporting belief Gastrooesophageal reflux and BMI Fracture and quality of life in older women Statins, sepsis, and chronic kidney disease Waiting for cataract surgery Book review
Bandolier 161 On limitations Surfactant for acute RDS in children Coenzyme Q10 for migraine Coenzyme Q10 for statin myopathy Coenzyme Q10 in hypertension Gout and drinking Contact: Maura Moore Tel: +44 1865 226132 Email: [email protected] Website: < www.jr2.ox.ac.uk/Bandolier/ >
17. Pearson A, Editor-in-Chief, Proposal to establish a nursing care entity with the Cochrane Collaboration (Editorial, August 2007), International Journal of Nursing Practice, Vol 13, Issue 4, pages 201–202
Website: < www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1440- 172X.2007.00586.x >
18. Chief Scientist Office (CSO), Scotland, recently accepted final reports for research
The Chief Scientist Office (CSO), part of the Scottish Executive Health Directorates, supports and promotes high quality research aimed at improving the services offered by NHS Scotland, and the health of the people of Scotland. CSO: - commissions work in specific priority areas - supports research initiated by the research community in Scotland - advises the Scottish Executive Health Directorates on how research contributes to improvements in health and healthcare . Executive summaries of the projects listed below can be found on the CSO website under "publications":
Biomedical and Therapeutic Research Committee
(CZG/1/151) Mitochondrial DNA damage is a biomarker of an at-risk environment in Barrett’s oesophagus (CZB/4/135) Platelet activation and troponin I release following major vascular surgery (graded excellent) (CZB/4/37) Use of human reliability analysis to evaluate operative techniques for rectal cancer (CZG/1/148) Do variations in intrinsic basal and inducible anti-oxidant status predispose to breast cancer in individuals at increased risk? (CZG/1/96) The relationship between the local and systemic inflammatory responses and outcome in patients with bladder cancer (CZG/1/113) Metabolic profiling in the identification of drug-resistant epilepsy (CZG/1/142) The influence of a dominant toll-like receptor (TLR) 5 stop codon polymorphism on the development of infection in critically ill patients (CZG/1/125)The effect of component orientation on pain relief after total knee replacement
Website: < http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/cso/ >
Disseminating Your Research - Call for papers
19. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research (CJNR): Knowledge Translation in the Health Sciences
This issue (Volume 40, No 2) of CJNR, is due to be published in June 2008 and will explore the science of knowledge translation. CJNR invite submissions of manuscripts that report new empirical findings and build and test knowledge translation theory empirically. They are particularly interested in manuscripts that address intervention testing, sophisticated modelling techniques, or basic questions in the field (e.g., measurement), or that provide empirical evidence of a link between knowledge translation (and similar constructs such as research utilization or innovation diffusion) and other outcomes (patient/client/resident, provider, system).
Contact: CJNR, School of Nursing Tel: (514) 398 4160 Email: [email protected] . Website: < http://cjnr.mcgill.ca/papers.html >
Submission deadline: 15 October 2007
20. 4th National Pre-Operative Association Conference
Park Inn, York, England, 1 Nov 2007
Email: [email protected] Website: < www.pre-op.org/ >
Abstract deadline: 1 Sept 2007 (posters)
21. 2nd UK Stroke Forum conference
Harrogate International Centre, 4 - 6 December 2007
The UK Stroke Forum is a new coalition of around 20 organisations committed to promoting multidisciplinary stroke research and education.
Contact: UK Stroke Forum Tel: 0131 555 7241 Website: < www.ukstrokeforum.org >
Abstract deadline: 5 September 2007
Events
22. 8th European doctoral conference in nursing science
Vienna, Austria, 7 September - 8 September 2007
This conference for PhD students from Europe is organized by PhD students from the PhD-Program "Nursing Science", Charite-Universitatsmedizin, Berlin and Maastricht University, The Netherlands. The conference provides opportunities to: network, present a research project as part of a thesis, share information and find out what is happening in nursing science in Europe.
Contact: the Conference secretariat Email: [email protected] Website: < http://www.zw.unimaas.nl/edcns2007/ >
23. 1st Paediatric Neurosurgical Nursing Group Conference
St George's Hall, Liverpool, 11 - 12 September 2007 This conference runs alongside the 35th International Society for Paediatric Neurosurgery.
Contact: Jaime Bennett, Happening Liverpool Tel: +44 (0) 151 235 8626 Email: [email protected] Website: < www.happen.co.uk/ispn2007/nurses.asp >
24. Business skills for nurses: Developing your knowledge and skills in today’s NHS
Ibis Hotel, Earls Court, London, 26 September 2007
The RCN and Nursing Times are running this course for all nurses wishing to succeed in the NHS. It will equip you with a new set of business and financial management skills to help you to succeed in delivering better care in the NHS. Dr Peter Carter, RCN General Secretary, is one of the speakers.
Contact: Business Skills for Nurses Tel: 0845 056 7889 Email: [email protected] Website: < http://www.businessskills4nurses.co.uk/homepage.asp >
25. National Cancer Research Institute 2007 NCRI cancer conference
Birmingham, England, 30 Sep - 3 Oct 2007
Contact: Sharon Vanloo Email: [email protected] Website: < www.ncri.org.uk/ncriconference/>
Online registration deadline: 31 August 2007
26. Getting it right: team working for adolescent health in primary care
Huddersfield New College, West Yorkshire, 25 October 2007, 9.30 - 4.00pm
This event is organised by RCGP Adolescent Task Group. The aim of the day is to empower healthcare professionals to improve services for young people in primary care. The event will be facilitated by members of the RCGP Adolescent Task Group and will consist of a combination of plenary sessions and interactive workshops.Target audience is all healthcare professionals working with young people in the community.
Contact: Catherine Gleeson Email: [email protected]
27. RCN Breast Care Nursing Society annual conference, Breast cancer: the ripple effect
Marriott Gosforth Park Hotel, Newcastle, 27 - 28 November 2007
Contact: Guillia Ward, RCN Conference and Events Organiser Tel: 0207 647 3591 Fax: 0207 647 3411 Email: [email protected] Website: < http://www.rcn.org.uk/events/ > Early bird booking fee available if you book before the 21 September