Q-Active Research Students

Nottingham University

School of Nursing

Charlotte Pisano (2006-2008 MNursSci)

'The health of student nurses'

Supervisor: Dr Holly Blake

Nurses are the largest occupational group within the Trust. Our baseline survey collected information on the health behaviours of nurses on QMC campus, but we have a large population of student nurses onsite and know little about their health. In a questionnaire survey, Charlotte will be looking at the health behaviours of student nurses here on QMC campus including physical activity, smoking, nutrition and well-being. Results will inform us about current behaviours and possible target areas for intervention.

Helen Davies (2005-2007 MNursSci)

'Stress and Stress interventions in Accident and Emergency'

Supervisor: Dr Holly Blake

We know that stress has implications for the individual, the employer and indirectly on patient care, and staff working in A&E are particularly susceptible to high levels of stress. Helen is currently conducting a critical review of stress interventions with specific reference to interventions for health care professionals and nursing staff. Results will inform us about the possibilities for effective intervention in high-stress areas such as A&E.

Nicola Wyatt (2006-2008 MNursSci)

'Nutrition and shift work in nurses'

Supervisor: Dr Holly Blake

Nurses are the largest occupational group within the Trust. Our baseline survey identified that a large proportion of staff do not consider their diet to be healthy or meet recommended nutritional needs. Nurses in particular identified that shift work has effects on their nutritional intake. Nicola will conduct a review of the literature on the effects of shift work on diet/nutrition. Results will suggest possible areas for intervention in this group.

Institute for Work, Health & Organisations

Sebastian Kuzoe

The Internet introduces into the health realm, a distinct system of health promotion through the use of interactive tools such as forums, chat rooms, emails, hyperlinks and many others. There is an emerging conviction that the Internet can, to a large extent, transform the fields of personal and public health. The use of the Internet is now widespread and is a primary source of health information. Through a service evaluation of the Q-Active website, I am going to determine whether interactivity which is considered to be a major factor in distinguishing between media is a major characteristic of the website. Based on my evaluation, I will offer recommendations to help in the content development of the website.

Randip Arack (Msc. Health Promotion and Psychology)

The smoking ban at the NUH Trust enforces a total ban on smoking on hospital site, including all entrances to buildings. Therefore staff, patients and visitors cannot smoke on the premises.

This study will evaluate staff attitudes towards the ban and their compliance with the smoking ban at QMC campus of NUH Trust and examine why a proportion of health professionals and other staff continue to smoke on 'smoke-free' grounds.

Oonagh Meade (MSc. Health Psychology)

As part of the Q-active program, a range of complementary therapies are being offered to QMC staff. This is a novel approach to promoting staff well-being.

This project will explore the experiences of staff who avail of these therapies. I plan to interview staff that have tried out these therapies, with a view to gaining an insight into the value of such therapies in their daily lives.

Loughborough University

School of Sport & Exercise Science