Deborah Biggerstaff

There is much to like about this paper. The authors offer some sound advice for helping the novice nurse researcher navigate the literature review process. I base my commentary on my own observations from teaching students, both at postgraduate and doctoral level, about students’ experiences of understanding research methods and how they need to grasp the skills needed when learning to identify the relevant literature to review. I can certainly identify with much of the material the authors are trying to get across to the reader. I consider this to be a very timely paper, especially with the current debate and expansion of the processes of literature reviews that embrace the different ‘types’ of materials students may encounter, and that can be used to inform both their research practice and delivery of healthcare. I think the paper may provide some much-needed inspiration on this useful topic, especially for the more novice nurse researcher. The authors introduce some of the different approaches to conducting a literature review. The main points are covered well, offering a useful overview of the various types of literature review, including providing the reader with a helpful discussion on the basics of the systematic review (SR). With the SR’s emphasis on evidence-based healthcare (EBHC) this is likely to be the clinical environment their target reader will be most familiar with (and is probably the area they are likely to be focusing on to inform their working practice during their academic studies). I like the way the authors offer at least a brief mention of some of the research discussion on the ‘hierarchy of evidence’ in EBHC. This is important since, with the increasing acceptability, in recent years, of qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to research methods in healthcare delivery, I know how many of my clinical students wrestle with this debate. For instance, students are often confronted when reviewing literature with how they might best align the inclusion of qualitative and mixed-methods literature with the, perhaps more ‘conventional’, viewpoint of the ‘superiority’ of the clinical, randomised-controlled trial. For example, where do concepts such as Patient and Public Involvement, patient experience of healthcare delivery, etc. ‘fit’ within the more clinical, or pragmatic focus,

Objectives: While healthcare policy relating to the need for service improvement and reconfiguration of service delivery is well documented, there remains a paucity of empirical knowledge, with little explanatory theory, from the perspectives of women, about ways women experience the postnatal period. This paper explores issues arising when enabling women’s voices to be heard in the discourse about childbirth and postnatal care through engagment with their stories. Research questions include: What are the phenomenological experiences surrounding women’s narratives following childbirth? What are women’s views about what they consider they require help for and are women able to express their needs in ways healthcare professionals (HCPs) understand?

This thesis explores the phenomenology of women’s experiences and perceptions in the first 18 -24 months after childbirth. Close engagement with participants’ narratives enables women’s voices to be heard in the sometimes conflicting discourses about motherhood while identified issues in postnatal care issues are examined. Healthcare policy identifies the need for service improvement and reconfiguration of service delivery is well documented. However, a paucity of empirical knowledge remains with little explanatory theory, from women’s perspectives, about new mothers’ experiences during this period. Becoming a mother engenders a perceptual shift, or psychological re-negotiation, with being-in-the-world. Greater understanding of these issues is therefore central to inform effective service provision. Women’s perceptions of their care and their narratives about their individual perspectives, experiences and feelings following childbirth are explored. A case-study research approach provides rich data from in-depth interviews analysed using phenomenology (IPA). The study, conducted in parallel with an RCT, offers evidence of how participants (N = 12) discuss their engagement with the world. The phenomenological examination of mothers’ lived-world experiences, their life-world, provides a wealth of data. Responses are equivocal, highlighting the importance of being determined when seeking care at a time when mothers felt vulnerable. Participants report coping with events by drawing on their experiences and knowledge acquired caring for their families. Mothers identify how professionals need to develop greater awareness of the importance of enhancing listening skills in order to help women effectively. Themes of vulnerability, disempowerment and doubts about their abilities emphasise participants’ need for compassion, kindness and understanding. Support during delivery and positive postnatal experiences can lead to improved physical and emotional health; lack of support can impact on physical and psychological morbidity. The thesis highlights how postnatal care remains a Cinderella story. Greater awareness of such issues is emphasised to deliver quality postnatal care that is timely and non-threatening to avoid women feeling disempowered and belittled.

Chlamydia (caused by the gram-negative bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis) is one of the most common infections reported in the United States [1] and Europe [2]. The highest rate of infection is reported in young people aged 15 to 24 years [3]. This Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) is largely asymptomatic and so regular screening is required to detect, treat and identify partners at risk of infection. If left untreated, chlamydia can result in serious long term consequences, particularly for women. These include pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility [4]. Such complications result in a future economic burden to health services which can easily be avoided with cost-effective screening programmes [2]. For these reasons, a National Chlamydia Screening Programme was introduced in England for 16-24 year olds in 2003 [5]. However, despite the introduction of this national programme, and the fact that the infection is easy to treat with a single dose antibiotic, up...

Introduction: It is well known that representation of women in many fields of medicine is much lower than men1 and historically, gender has precluded females from becoming leaders in some fields. This ‘glass-ceiling’ effect is recognised to be more prevalent in male-dominated specialities with fewer women in senior positions. Transplantation is one such area. Moreover, studies in other professions show that women who reach a senior position can easily fall from a position of leadership because of a single mistake 2. To date, there have been no studies in transplantation looking at this ‘glass cliff’ effect. Aim: To investigate if there is any difference in perception regarding wrong decisions made by senior medical staff in transplant leadership roles, based on gender. Methodology: Ethical approval was obtained from West Midlands Research Ethics Committee, U.K and Biomedical and Scientific Research Ethics Committee, University of Warwick, U.K. The study was a prospective web-based s...

Introduction: Despite the introduction of many positive changes aimed at helping women who work in medicine to flourish, the number of women holding senior leadership roles are a minority across many specialities. Research from other professions has found that when women do reach senior positions they appear to be judged more harshly and are more likely to fall from their position of seniority, the ‘glass cliff effect’. Aim: To explore any engendered differences in participants’ perceptions and their views on potential wrong decisions by senior medical transplant staff, using hypothetical clinical scenarios in an online survey. Methodology: The study was a prospective web-based survey involving five clinical scenarios, with either a male or female protagonist (Set1 and Set2). Each scenario was followed by two questions regarding the clinical performance. Respondents were invited to comment on their reasoning. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. To ensure elimination of any i...

This thesis explores the phenomenology of women’s experiences and perceptions in the first 18 -24 months after childbirth. Close engagement with participants’ narratives enables women’s voices to be heard in the sometimes conflicting discourses about motherhood while identified issues in postnatal care issues are examined. Healthcare policy identifies the need for service improvement and reconfiguration of service delivery is well documented. However, a paucity of empirical knowledge remains with little explanatory theory, from women’s perspectives, about new mothers’ experiences during this period. Becoming a mother engenders a perceptual shift, or psychological re-negotiation, with being-in-the-world. Greater understanding of these issues is therefore central to inform effective service provision. Women’s perceptions of their care and their narratives about their individual perspectives, experiences and feelings following childbirth are explored. A case-study research approach pro...