Abstract
The THErapeutic Optimisation (THEO) project developed by the NICHE Anchor Institute at the University of East Anglia, is a novel and complex intervention research study aimed at optimising the patients’ experience of care. THEO is providing an uplift of two registered nurses working as embedded researchers, combined with a process of participatory action research (PAR)
The THEO intervention is partly influenced by evidence that showed that higher nurse staffing levels were associated with better patient outcomes, shorter length of stay and less frequent nurse burnout or job dissatisfaction.
The participatory action research (PAR) intervention uses an emancipatory, systematic and rigorous process philosophy; which will involve recruiting core volunteer co-researchers from the existing ward nursing team as bringing expertise in this innovation. In addition, participation will be sought from the wider team and patients/ service users through methods such as observation of care and sharing experiences of care. Wrapped around the implementation of PAR are three other research elements; i) quantitative data (eg Length of Stay), ii) qualitative and iii) process evaluation being led by an external collaborating research partner.
Practice development (PD) methods will also be used within the PAR framework, as a facilitated intervention to achieve a participatory approach to inquiry, engaging with staff and patients, within two NHS clinical wards.
The co-research team which will comprise of the new embedded researchers and the volunteer co- researchers will have time and space to work in collaboration, to “look” (i.e., gather evidence about a situation or context), “think” (i.e., reflect together to critically analyse the evidence), then “act” (i.e., develop a shared action plan, from which to take informed action). This process will generate both knowledge and agreed action from which to improve the experience and care for both the ward staff and the people who receive care on the ward.
The intervention phase of THEO is anticipated to commence in Feb/ March 2025. This paper will be sharing the THEO intervention participatory approach and PD methods that are planned and being implemented. It will also highlight how facilitated practice development offers the chance for health care teams to learn together, hear the voices of patients and shape and innovate their care delivery approach to improve the care experience for all.
Participatory approaches to research moves away from the traditional stance of “studying a subject and making a judgement about that subject” and involves a collaborative, participatory and inclusive approach where all involved are partners in both the research and resulting actions and outcomes. This approach is very rewarding and often time consuming in building relationships and partnerships, which is why some avoid this approach in favour of the more traditional approach. However, we will argue that pursuing a participatory approach will result in the ripple effect of ownership and sustainable action for staff and enable patients voices to be heard.
This presentation will an opportunity to reflect on the lessons learnt so far in this collaborative and participatory research study between 3 different universities and two NHS sites.