Friday 28 May 2010

Katherine's success with Health Innovation and Education Clusters

My colleague Katherine Brown has just secured £88K across two projects over the next two years from Health Innovation and Education Clusters.

“HIECs are cross sector partnerships between NHS organisations, the Higher Education sector and blue chip companies. Commissioning responsibilities for the HIECs lie within the Strategic Health Authority. We will be working with Warwickshire and Coventry PCTs and the Serious Games Institute on delivering high-tech interactive solutions to sex education in the classroom and helping parents communicate with their children about relationships and sex.”

A fantastic achievement!

Thursday 27 May 2010

Assistance dogs: PhD student

Met today to discuss becoming Director of Studies for a PhD research student here at Coventry.

Very excited to be working with the student and supervisory team.

Can't say much about the project, as it's hot off the press (well still in the press really).

All I can say is that it has something to do with assistance dogs.

This isn't quite what the student will be looking at, but it's a related field
http://qhr.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/18/12/1642

Wednesday 26 May 2010

Health behaviour tweets

Gosh the BBC is tweeting a lot about health behaviour stories at the moment...

Smoking
New NHS statistics reveal the number of attempts to quit cigarettes increased by more than a third last year. http://bit.ly/cmpFic

Alcohol
More than half a million Britons go to work with a hangover each day and the figure is set to soar with the W.. http://bit.ly/aiE2q5

The number of prescriptions given out in England to treat alcohol dependency has increased, figures for 2009 .. http://bit.ly/9e4nFk

Falls prevention
Falls could be prevented if older people stop wearing varifocal glasses while out, an Australian study suggests. http://bit.ly/9Kb7EP

Sun safety
A baby boy is taken to hospital with potentially life-threatening burns after a day in the sun on Brighton beach.. http://bit.ly/a7NlxC

Oral hygiene
One in three adults in the UK do not brush their teeth for a recommended full two minutes per day, experts be.. http://bit.ly/b0Zbw7

Tuesday 25 May 2010

More exam marking...

Yes it's that time of the year again - when academics face up to the tricky task of marking students' exam scripts.

Finished marking my share of undergraduate social psychology papers. Just in case you are interested (?) here are some examples of the questions they were answering:

With reference to a range of theoretical models, discuss the suggestion that "without stereotyping, there would be no prejudice, and the world would be a better place".

Critically compare the following approaches to social psychological phenomena, in terms of their assumptions and the methodologies they use: personal construct psychology, interpretative phenomenological analysis and narrative approaches to identity. Illustrate your answer with examples from published research.

Discursive psychologists tend to focus on identity work or identification, as a process. Critically discuss how this approach contrasts with that of cognitive social psychology. Illustrate your answer with examples from published
research.

As Aleksandr Orlov would say: "Simples...!"

Monday 24 May 2010

Training in Motivational Interviewing Approved by the British Psychological Society Learning Centre


Pleased to say that our short course in Motivational Interviewing is now approved by the British Psychological Society Learning Centre for the purposes of Continuing Professional Development.



We will soon be advertised on the BPS Learning Centre.

Saturday 22 May 2010

Health psych masters students sit exam: Management of Chronic Conditions and Disability

Not much fun having an exam on a Saturday, for students sitting it, or for the academic who has to be in early to oversee it...

Never mind, they've just finished so I can reveal the sort of questions our students consider on the MSc Health Psych programme. Here are the questions students were answering in today's paper:

Is it possible to distinguish clearly between a chronic illness and a disability?

Discuss with respect to the assumptions and emphases of at least two theoretical models used by health psychologists.

How can psychologists contribute to the management of chronic pain?

What is the place of patient-reported outcomes within health psychology?

Discuss with respect to the relative roles of objective and subjective measures of health status, and their strengths and limitations.

What does research tell us about the psychosocial impact of stroke?

How might this be applied to stroke rehabilitation?

Discuss the role health psychologists might play in improving end of life care, and the contextual factors they need to take into account when applying psychological models.

In what sense are the psychosocial issues faced by people with chronic health conditions generic? Critically discuss the extent to which similar psychosocial issues arise for people with a range of chronic conditions.


Successful graduates of our programme are already applying health psychology to improve experiences and outcomes for people with long term conditions.

Friday 21 May 2010

Motivational Interviewing

Some interesting new papers have been published on the use of motivational interviewing:


Ahmad, A., Hugtenburg, J., Welschen, L. M. C., Dekker, J. M., & Nijpels, G. (2010). Effect of medication review and cognitive behaviour treatment by community pharmacists of patients discharged from the hospital on drug related problems and compliance: Design of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health, 10

Bucci, S., Baker, A., Halpin, S. A., Hides, L., Lewin, T. J., Carr, V. J., et al. (2010). Intervention for cannabis use in young people at ultra high risk for psychosis and in early psychosis. Mental Health and Substance use: Dual Diagnosis, 3(1), 66-73.

Chacko, M. R., Wiemann, C. M., Kozinetz, C. A., von Sternberg, K., Velasquez, M. M., Smith, P. B., et al. (2010). Efficacy of a motivational behavioral intervention to promote chlamydia and gonorrhea screening in young women: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Adolescent Health, 46(2), 152-161.

Community-based computer-assisted motivational intervention reduces repeat births to adolescents.(2010). Journal of the National Medical Association, 102(2), 154.

Cosio, D., Heckman, T. G., Anderson, T., Heckman, B. D., Garske, J., & McCarthy, J. (2010). Telephone-administered motivational interviewing to reduce risky sexual behavior in HIV-infected rural persons: A pilot randomized clinical trial. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 37(3), 140-146.

Duff, A. J. A., & Latchford, G. J. (2010). Motivational interviewing for adherence problems in cystic fibrosis. Pediatric Pulmonology, 45(3), 211-220.

Flynn, H. A. Setting the stage for the integration of motivational interviewing with cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of depression. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice,

Freudenthal, J. J., & Bowen, D. M. (2010). Motivational interviewing to decrease parental risk-related behaviors for early childhood caries. Journal of Dental Hygiene : JDH / American Dental Hygienists' Association, 84(1), 29-34.

Hughes, M. J., & Rasmussen, L. A. (2010). The utility of motivational interviewing in domestic violence shelters: A qualitative exploration. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma, 19(3), 300-322.

Lai, D. T., Cahill, K., Qin, Y., & Tang, J. L. (2010). Motivational interviewing for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Online), (1)

Linden, A., Butterworth, S. W., & Prochaska, J. O. (2010). Motivational interviewing-based health coaching as a chronic care intervention. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 16(1), 166-174.

Lundahl, B. W., Kunz, C., Brownell, C., Tollefson, D., & Burke, B. L. (2010). A meta-analysis of motivational interviewing: Twenty-five years of empirical studies. Research on Social Work Practice, 20(2), 137-160.

Moyers, T. B., Martin, T., Houck, J. M., Christopher, P. J., & Tonigan, J. S. (2009). From in-session behaviors to drinking outcomes: A causal chain for motivational interviewing. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77(6), 1113-1124.

Nyamathi, A., Shoptaw, S., Cohen, A., Greengold, B., Nyamathi, K., Marfisee, M., et al. (2010). Effect of motivational interviewing on reduction of alcohol use. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 107(1), 23-30.

Paradis, V., Cossette, S., Frasure-Smith, N., Heppell, S., & Guertin, M. -. (2010). The efficacy of a motivational nursing intervention based on the stages of change on self-care in heart failure patients. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 25(2), 130-141.

Riekert, K. A., Borrelli, B., Bilderback, A., & Rand, C. S. The development of a motivational interviewing intervention to promote medication adherence among inner-city, african-american adolescents with asthma. Patient Education and Counseling,

Schwartz, R. P. (2010). Motivational interviewing (patient-centered counseling): To address childhood obesity. Pediatric Annals, 39(3), 154-158.

Solomon, D. H., Gleeson, T., Iversen, M., Avorn, J., Brookhart, M. A., Lii, J., et al. (2010). A blinded randomized controlled trial of motivational interviewing to improve adherence with osteoporosis medications: Design of the OPTIMA trial. Osteoporosis International, 21(1), 137-144.

Sterrett, E., Jones, D. J., Zalot, A., & Shook, S. (2010). A pilot study of a brief motivational intervention to enhance parental engagement: A brief report. Journal of Child and Family Studies, , 1-5.

Thyrian, J. R., Freyer-Adam, J., Hannöver, W., Röske, K., Mentzel, F., Kufeld, C., et al. (2010). Population-based smoking cessation in women post partum: Adherence to motivational interviewing in relation to client characteristics and behavioural outcomes. Midwifery, 26(2), 202-210.

Woodin, E. M., & O'Leary, K. D. (2010). A brief motivational intervention for physically aggressive dating couples. Prevention Science, , 1-13.

Training in Motivational Interviewing is available from Coventry University.

Location independent working

Had some more training this week in preparation for taking part in a pilot study of location independent working in the psychology department.

We should be all systems go from 1st June.

Off soon to supervise undergraduate students in their last exam. I do hope they have a chance for a flop and something cold and wet this evening. They'll need it after all their hard work, and this typical exam weather.

Sunny 22°C 72°F
Humidity: 58%
Visibility: Good

http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/2199?area=CV1


Monday 17 May 2010

Your psychology project handbook

Dr Anna Weighall, Sheffield Hallam University:

"an essential guide to the process of undertaking psychological research. It provides comprehensive step-by-step advice about each stage of a research project from the initial conception of a research idea, right through to writing it up. It will be an invaluable resource for all psychology project students. I will certainly be recommending it to my own students!"

Your psychology project handbook

Dr. Paul Seager, University of Central Lancashire:


"an absolute goldmine of essential information, tips, guidance and general all-round wisdom from those ‘in-the-know’. It is highly recommended for any project student who wants to get ahead of the game."

Your Psychology Project Handbook

Your Psychology Project Handbook: Becoming a Researcher

Hugh Coolican says
"The complete and perfect handbook"

Coventry psych students do real world/applied research

Marked some interesting student work today:

A literature review paper by one of our MSc Health Psychology students - on aspects of self management in adolescents with diabetes (can't be more specific as she hopes to submit it to a journal for publication and I don't want to steal her thunder...!)

Reflective reports from second year undergraduates who have been on work placements:

One who has been working as a researcher in public health, looking at how breastfeeding interventions might be adapted for her home country of Botswana.

Another who has been on placement in a prison, running focus groups and working on racial and ethnic diversity issues.

A third who has been working as a research assistant to a colleague here at Coventry.

And two who have worked as junior school teaching assistants in preparation for intended careers in educational or clinical psychology.

Our students do real world/applied research, and should be well equipped to apply their knowledge and skills in the jobs market.

Apropos to nothing: Off now to buy some Gutermann thread in shade 282 on the way home...

Thursday 13 May 2010

Posters for EHPS conference accepted

Pleased to say that both my posters for the European Health Psychology Society Conference in Romania have been accepted for presentation.

Now to find the funding to attend... :-)


http://www.ehps-cluj2010.psychology.ro/

My abstracts are:

Enhancing rehabilitation professionals' self-efficacy, to enhance the self-efficacy of their patients (Evaluation data from our motivational interviewing workshops here at Coventry: https://store.coventry.ac.uk/catalogue/products.asp?compid=1&deptid=116&catID=92&hasClicked=1)

Role of a support group for women with polycystic ovary syndrome.(See a related paper in Journal of Advanced Nursing: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122535593/abstract )

Taught this year's last cohort of PhD students

12 May 2010

For last time this academic year I did a session on qualitative research methods as part of M001RDC - the induction module for new PG research students.

Hard to believe that we've seen four cohorts of students through this module in just one academic year - and with a huge variety of research topics, from lorry design, through needs of elderly cancer patients, to dance ethnography.

Wishing everyone success with their projects

Looking into use of PebblePad for MSc Health Psych students

30th April 2010

Following a discussion within our course management team, I am looking into ways that online portfolios could be used by our students to keep records of their academic progress, including action plans for their own personal development.

Accepted invitation to speak at Endocrine Nurse Update meeting

30th April 2010

Accepted invitation to speak at Endocrine Nurse Update meeting

Delighted to be asked by the British Endocrine Society to talk to Endocrine Nurses at their annual update meeting.

This will be at Stratford on Avon in September.

I'll be talking about psychosocial aspects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and how health professionals can help.

http://www.endocrinology.org/meetings/index.aspx

Support for PCOS can be found at http://www.verity-pcos.org.uk/

Have just submitted two abstracts for EHPS Conference in Romania

30th April 2010

Have just submitted two abstracts for EHPS Conference in Romania

Have just submitted two abstracts for poster presentation at the European Health Psychology Society Conference in Romania in September.http://www.ehps-cluj2010.psychology.ro/

My abstracts are:

Enhancing rehabilitation professionals' self-efficacy, to enhance the self-efficacy of their patients (Evaluation data from our motivational interviewing workshops here at Coventry: https://store.coventry.ac.uk/catalogue/products.asp?compid=1&deptid=116&catID=92&hasClicked=1)

Role of a support group for women with polycystic ovary syndrome.(See a related paper in Journal of Advanced Nursing: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122535593/abstract )

Fingers crossed that they are accepted for presentation...

Marking dissertations by our Health & Lifestyle Management students

10th May 2010

Marking dissertations by our Health & Lifestyle Management students

Back from a short break, and marking dissertation reports by our BSc Hons Health & Lifestyle Management students.

Interesting topics, including:
Knowledge and experience of using motivational interviewing: a study with rehabilitation professionals
Barriers and facilitators to physical activity: a study of online discussion forums.
Differences in physical activity between students with pre-paid gym memberships and those without: applying the theory of planned behaviourT
he relationship between personality traits and physical activity: applying the theory of planned behaviour

Our HLM graduates have a range of knowledge and some very practical skills, including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural coaching and intervention mapping.

The first cohort complete their degrees this summer and I am hoping that they do well in the jobs market.

Poster on enhancing self-efficacy for rehab professionals

15th April 2010

British Psychological Society Annual Conference Poster 2010

Poster on enhancing self-efficacy for rehab professionals, presented at BPS annual conference, Stratford on Avon April 2010


Percy, C. & Turner, A.

c.percy@coventry.ac.uk


Coventry University

Enhancing rehabilitation professionals' self -efficacy, to enhance the self- efficacy of their patients
http://pdp.coventry.ac.uk/viewasset.aspx?oid=829038&type=file


Objectives: Guidelines on behaviour change, from the National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE) require health professionals to engage patients in discussions about appropriate behaviour change. Motivational interviewing has been used in health promotion, primary prevention, and chronic disease management. Rehabilitation professionals including occupational therapists, speech & language therapists and physiotherapists were offered training in motivational interviewing, to assist them in implementing NICE guidelines. This paper reports on the outcomes of that training.

Design: 31 rehabilitation professionals attended a one day introductory course in motivational interviewing. Prior to training, they self reported (on a zero to ten scale) how important it was for them to engage their patients in various aspects of behaviour change. They were also asked (on a zero to ten scale) how confident they were in their ability to engage their patients in these aspects. Post-training, this confidence was self-assessed again.

Results: All the aspects of behaviour change were deemed important to participants (ratings of 7.52-9.39, mean 8.62). Pre- and post- training confidence ratings increased significantly for all aspects of behaviour change. Qualitative comments made on evaluation forms indicated that motivational interviewing might need to be adapted for use with some rehabilitation patients, e.g. those with severe cognitive impairments or communication difficulties.

Conclusions: Training significantly enhanced participants’ confidence in being able to implement NICE guidelines. Further research is needed to investigate what adaptations of motivational interviewing might be required for use in rehabilitation settings.


Enjoyed tutoring on Expert Patient Programme today

11th May 2010

Co-tutored a group on the Expert Patient Programme in Coventry today.

http://www.expertpatients.co.uk/


http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/expertpatient.shtml


Topics and activities we covered included: feedback and problem solving on last week's action plans, healthy eating, communication skills, future plans for health care, and action planning for next week.

Had some very useful feedback from the assessor who observed my practice and assessed my competence.

Pleased to say I passed my assessment - again!

Working on this programme is inspiring and rewarding.





How can we get people to walk more?

12th May 2010

Forthcoming professorial address by a colleague at Coventry

Thursday 20 May/6.00pm/Humber Lecture Theatre (GEG31), Coventry University, CV1 5FB

David French, Professor of Health Psychology will be talking on the health benefits of walking in this Professorial Lecture on 20 May.

Walking is especially promising as a focus of public health interventions because it is acceptable to those people who are least physically active, and also provides considerable health benefits.

This presentation will describe the programme of research that developed an intervention which is delivered in a face-to-face consultation and aims to increase individual walking in sedentary adults. This intervention has produced average increases of 87 minutes/ week on objectively measured walking, in members of the general public in Birmingham, and has been successfully replicated in London.

The process by which this intervention is currently being adapted and refined for delivery by practice nurses in primary care will be described.

The presentation will conclude by describing ongoing research in Coventry concerning how to optimise group-based walking schemes.

Refreshments will be available from approximately 7pm

For more information or to register your attendance, please contact Miss Suky Sanghera at s.sanghera@coventry.ac.uk or on 024 7679 5294