Colleague innovation showcased in Nursing Times
Date added: 08 August 2024
Congratulations to Alison Welfare-Wilson, Research Delivery Lead, on having her article on an innovative approach to improving research skills and confidence published in Nursing Times.
Alison, alongside Hayley Beresford from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW), has been running a cross-trust reflective reading club for mental health nurses and allied health professionals (AHP). The club took place bimonthly, with the aim of increasing attendees’ research confidence, skills and literacy.
The reading club was set up when Alison identified that although nurses’ work is underpinned by evidence-based practice, and many are interested in the benefits that research could provide, the world of research can be intimidating to those with no previous experience in the area.
The informal reading groups were set up to allow like-minded individuals to get together to explore research through literature. Central to this was removing the more formal and intimidating elements of traditional reading clubs, which can make them unapproachable for interested beginners.
35 colleagues from across KMPT attended the reading club from 2021 to 2023.
At the end of the programme a survey showed that attending the club had led to an increase in the understanding of terminology, and confidence in reading research and discussing it with peers.
Alison has worked with library colleagues at MTW to develop a rolling programme of research skills for KMPT and MTW nurses and AHPs. Starting on Thursday, 26 September, these five online sessions will cover accessing literature, developing a search strategy, reflective reading and critique.
