Colin Jones

Researching the experience of being critically ill: some methodological difficulties

The experience of being critically ill and being a patient in a critical care unit has attracted considerable research interest in recent years. Evidence of this is apparent in the increasing development of critical care follow-up services in many of our hospitals in the United Kingdom. However, actually conducting research this area can be fraught with difficulties and problems. Research participants may be extremely vulnerable during their recovery, making the methodological considerations crucial, in any study, which aims to explore the experiences of survivors. This paper explores some of the difficulties the researcher can face when researching this area.

Attitudes of nursing staff towards a Modified Early Warning System

This study aimed to understand the attitudes of qualified nursing staff on an acute medical unit concerning the Modified Early Warning System (MEWS) score chart used to monitor patients. A combination of questionnaires and a focus group was used. All respondents believed that the MEWS is beneficial in their work but the point was also raised that MEWS scores can be miscalculated and there is sometimes difficulty in getting medical staff to review the patient, even if the MEWS score is significantly high. At times a qualified nurses seniority or the colour of his or her uniform can affect the attitude of the medical staff and can mean the difference between the patient being reviewed or not. Certain medics have a culture of dismissing a high MEWS score because they were expecting these vital physiological signs to be abnormal, owing to that particular patients past medical history or presenting complaint. Most hospitals in the NHS now use some sort of early warning system but, at times, staff seem to be unsure of the importance of the MEWS score or what action needs to be taken. The authors agree with the view that introduction of a standard NHS-wide chart would be of benefit to staff and patients.

Type 1 diabetes and pregnancy: A phenomenological study of women's first experiences

The aims of this study were to explore womens perceptions and experiences of being pregnant and having pre‐existing type 1 diabetes mellitus, and to assess their physical, social, psychological, emotional and educational needs during their transition to motherhood.

The potential benefits of colour in supporting people with compulsive hoarding disorder: Colin Jones and Satwant Singh present the findings of a preliminary study which indicate that colour can help motivate some people with this syndrome to declutter

Public health officials are beginning to recognise the significance of compulsive hoarding disorder. As clutter accumulates and obliterates living space, the world of the compulsive hoarder can become drab, dull and achromatic. Many people with the condition report having difficulties finding important items such as passports and other documents that become submerged under piles of hoarded material. Using an exploratory cross-sectional survey design, a volunteer sample of 15 members of a national hoarding therapy group was recruited. Participants were asked to take home sheets of coloured fluorescent card (colour markers) and use them to assist in defining or influencing their home environment. The purpose of the study was to explore what potential benefit colour may have on the environment and also the psycho-emotional benefits of colour for the person with the disorder. The study concluded that both the choice of colour and the way in which the colour marker was used appeared motivationally beneficial and served to inspire attempts at reducing or removing clutter.