16th international NPNR conference, 22 - 23 September 2010

Jacquie White, a delegate at the conference, talks about her role as a mental health nurse and research activity

Since 2000 I have participated in a variety of national nurse education, practice development and research initiatives disseminating results through local, national and international publications and conferences. My research interests are closely tied to my medication management teaching role and 22 years as a Mental Health Nurse. The focus of my doctoral research is the evaluation of a complex health intervention: the serious mental illness Health Improvement Profile [HIP] (White et al, 2009). The HIP is designed to support busy mental health nurses to assess physical health risk and select the best practice next steps to take when health parameters are out of range. Development and feasibility stages have been published and I am currently coordinating a Cluster RCT of the HIP Programme (the HIP and the training to deliver it). This evaluation stage trial is funded by the NIHR Research for Patient Benefit Programme in the East of England, sponsored by Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and led by Professor Richard Gray from the Faculty of Health at UEA. Alongside the main trial which will evaluate efficacy and cost effectiveness and with the implementation stage in mind, we will also explore the impact of the HIP Programme on mental health nurse attitudes and knowledge for a physical health role and the physical health care process across the primary-secondary care interface.

I believe successful practice change requires more than education and research and networks are an important way to collaborate with and support and sustain change agents. In 2001 I founded The Hull and East Riding Medication Management Network and in 2004, cofounded the M62 Network (for those interested in medication management and/or non medical prescribing in mental health care). As a result of the relationships forged through these networks I am working with colleagues from the Universities of Huddersfield and Sheffield Hallam and their partner NHS Trusts in the Strategic Health Authority funded ‘Medicines with Respect’ Project. This pedagogical project aims to develop and evaluate a stepped approach to medication management education in the mental health nurse curriculum from preregistration to non-medical prescribing. I have always been interested in the rituals as opposed to evidence informing medicines management practice and my most recent scholarly and research activity relates to intramuscular injection practice and ways to ‘nudge’ nurses towards best practice using guidance and technology.

Jacquie White, Lecturer/Teaching Fellow, University of Hull
Email: jacqueline.white@hull.ac.uk

For a list of Jacquie’s publications, please go to
http://www2.hull.ac.uk/fhsc/aboutus/staffcontactlist/jacquiewhite.aspx