Based on the her experiences of completing a doctoral study in which semi-structured interviews featured as the primary data collection method, Christine Dearnley offers a reflective insight into using semi-structured interviews as a method of data collection. The processes of reflection in, and on, the interview process are explored, and some of the ethical dilemmas that emerged during the study are reflected on. The practicalities of conducting semi-structured interviews are considered with a view to sharing new understandings of the process and its management.
There is a tentative, though growing body of evidence to support TBL as a strategy that can impact on student engagement, student satisfaction, attainment, practice development and transformative teaching and learning. The literature indicates that implementing TBL within the curriculum is not without challenge and requires a sustained and structured approach. Staff and students need to understand the processes involved, and why they should be adhered to, in the pursuit of enhanced student experiences and outcomes for nurses and midwives in Higher Education.
International studies show that high levels of environmental noise in hospitals disturb sleep. We know little about effective interventions to address this problem. We aimed to review primary research that tested noise-reduction interventions in ward-settings. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Data Sources: Health-related and acoustic databases searched from inception to 2017 with no language restrictions. Review methods: Experimental, quasi-experimental and observational studies assessing the effect of interventions on patient outcomes and/or environmental noise were included. Results: 834 records were identified with 9 meeting inclusion criteria. Data from 6 studies were pooled. Quality appraisal showed that the level of evidence was generally weak. A random effects meta-analysis determined that a synthesised estimate for the standardised mean difference in total hours sleep (no intervention -intervention) was -0.11 hours (95% CI -0.46 to 0.25 hours; p=0.556), with moderate statistical heterogeneity. A synthesised estimate for the standardised mean difference in awakenings (no intervention -intervention) was 0.05 (95% CI -0.20 to 0.29; p=0.715), with negligible statistical heterogeneity. A random effects meta-analysis determined that a synthesised estimate for the odds ratio for disturbed nights (no intervention: intervention) was 0.75 (95% CI 0.55 to 1.01; p=0.059), with low statistical heterogeneity. Conclusions: Individual studies show that noise reduction interventions are feasible and have the potential to improve patients' sleep experiences. However meta-analyses show insufficient evidence to support their use. Robust studies are required to identify effective interventions to address this significant and ubiquitous problem.
AbstractObjective: High levels of environmental noise in hospitals disturbs sleep. We aimed to identify, critically appraise and summarise primary research that reports studies that tested interventions to reduce night-time noise levels in ward-settings. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. with no language restrictions. Review methods: Experimental, quasi-experimental and observational study designs assessing the effect of noise reduction interventions on patient outcomes and/or environmental noise levels were included. Two reviewers independently conducted a quality appraisal using a published framework. Results: In total, 834 records were identified with nine studies meeting inclusion criteria. Quality appraisal showed that the level of evidence was generally weak. A range of noise reduction interventions were identified: one study implemented a single intervention, whilst the remainder were complex, multi-faceted interventions. Findings from individual studies showed mixed results but preliminary evidence suggests that noise reduction interventions can reduce environmental noise leve...
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