Development of consensus guidance to facilitate service redesign around pharmacist prescribing in UK hospital practice.

Background: The last decade has seen a drive towards non-medical prescribing in the United Kingdom (UK). However, there is a dearth of any published literature on applying the principles of service redesign to support pharmacist prescribing in any sphere of practice.

Objective: To develop consensus guidance to facilitate service redesign around pharmacist prescribing.

Exploring pharmacists' perceptions of the feasibility and value of pharmacist prescribing of antimicrobials in secondary care in Scotland.

Objectives: The introduction of non-medical prescribing in the UK has provided opportunities and challenges for pharmacists to help ensure prudent use of antimicrobials. The objective of this research was to explore pharmacists' perceptions of the feasibility and value of pharmacist prescribing of antimicrobials in secondary care in Scotland.

Methods: Pharmacists' perceptions were explored using focus groups in five Scottish regions representing (a) urban and rural areas and (b) district general hospitals and large teaching centres.

Antimicrobial optimisation in secondary care: the pharmacist as part of a multidisciplinary antimicrobial programme--a literature review.

The aims of this literature review were: (i) to determine what roles have been supported by evidence for the pharmacist in optimising antimicrobial treatment as part of an antimicrobial multidisciplinary team (AMDT) in secondary care; and (ii) to describe the outcomes of interventions of an AMDT in secondary care with pharmacy involvement. Both descriptive and primary research reports were identified and included. The hospital pharmacist emerged as a key member of the AMDT.

A novel framework for reflecting on the functioning of research ethics review panels.

In the past decade structures and processes for the ethical review of UK health care research have undergone rapid change. Although this has focused users' attention on the functioning of review committees, it remains rare to read a substantive view from the inside. This article presents details of processes and findings resulting from a novel structured reflective exercise undertaken by a newly formed research ethics review panel in a university school of nursing and midwifery.

An evaluation of the first year of family health nursing practice in Scotland.

Scotland has led enactment of the new World Health Organisation (Europe) Family Health Nurse (FHN) concept. This paper presents research which evaluated the initial operation and impact of the role in remote and rural regions of Scotland. Through use of a multiplex research design informed by ideas from realistic evaluation, fourth generation evaluation and case study research, an initial typology of practice was constructed.

An evaluation of an educational programme to prepare family health nurses.

In 1998 the World Health Organisation (WHO) Europe proposed a new type of community based nurse called the family health nurse (FHN). Although it was initially envisaged that 18 European countries would take part in the development of the FHN role through parallel processes of education and implementation, Scotland has been significantly ahead of other countries in enacting this plan. A pilot project involving community nurses from four remote and rural regions of Scotland was conducted between 2001 and 2003.

Work life and psychological health: the experiences of Thai women in deprived communities.

I discuss women's work life and the psychological health of women in low-income communities in Northeast Thailand. Previous research has shown that low-income women are part of a disadvantaged group who struggle against several problems in their everyday life, and who work hard to survive. These women worked as either manual laborers in agriculture or factories or as self-employed vendors, and were busy Ha Yoo Ha Kin (working and earning a living).

Developing the use of poetry within healthcare culture.

While the visual arts are often given consideration as an important feature of healthcare environments, the literary arts remain an underdeveloped resource. This article describes recent nurse-initiated developments in Aberdeen which attempt to integrate poetry into the culture of hospitals so that patients, visitors and staff can be involved. In particular, the 'Poem Post' project is described.

Role development in acute nursing in Scotland.

Aim This research was designed to evaluate innovative roles underpinning successful nurse-led services in nursing and midwifery in Scotland. Method A dual methodological approach encompassing a national survey and detailed case studies was adopted. The survey of all NHS trusts in Scotland was designed to profile role developments and extended practices in nursing and midwifery practice.