Conducting a pilot study: case study of a novice researcher.

Pilot studies play a vital role in health research, but are often misused, mistreated and misrepresented. A well-conducted pilot study with clear aims and objectives within a formal framework ensures methodological rigour, can lead to higher-quality research and scientifically valid work that is publishable and can benefit patients and health service delivery. A pilot study contributes valuable information to assist researchers in the conduct of their study. Conducting a pilot study provides the researcher with the opportunity to develop and enhance the skills necessary before commencing the larger study. By conducting a pilot the researcher obtains preliminary data, can evaluate their data-analysis method and clarify the financial and human resources required. This article presents an overview of pilot studies, why they are conducted, what to consider when reporting pilot studies and the authors' experience of conducting a pilot study. To conduct a successful study, researchers need to develop their skills, choose the right methods and carefully plan for all aspects of the process.

The experiences of registered intellectual disability nurses caring for the older person with intellectual disability.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the experiences of registered intellectual disability nurses caring for the older person with intellectual disability. BACKGROUND: Increased longevity for the older person with intellectual disability is relatively a new phenomenon with social and medical factors having significantly increased the lifespan. The ageing population of people with intellectual disability is growing in Ireland, and they are outliving or expected to outlive their family carers. DESIGN: A qualitative Heideggerigan phenomenological approach allowed the researcher become immersed in the essence of meaning and analyse how registered intellectual disability nurses working with the older person perceive, experience and express their experience of caring. METHODS: After ethical approval was granted, data were collected through semi-structured interviews from seven participants and were transcribed and analysed thematically using Burnard's framework for data analysis. RESULTS: Three key themes were identified: 'care delivery', 'inclusiveness' and 'client-focused care'. The study highlights the need for effective planning, an integrated approach to services and that the registered intellectual disability nurse needs to be integrated into the care delivery system within the health service to support client and family carers in the home environment. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the study shows the importance of teamwork, proactive planning, inclusion, attitudes, individualised care, knowing the person and best practice in providing care for older people with intellectual disability. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This paper reports on the findings of a study which explored the experiences of caring for the older person with intellectual disability. Teamwork, proactive planning, client-centred approach and supporting clients living at home are important as ageing is inevitable.

Health of ageing people with intellectual disability and the role of the nurse in Ireland.

The number of people with intellectual disability living into old age continues to increase. As one ages, generally, functional ability decreases and health issues increase, with recognising and responding to the health needs of the person with intellectual disability of great importance and the responsibility of the intellectual disability nurse. The nurse must review and adjust the way they deliver care to ageing people with intellectual disability, not only in terms of responding to their health needs but also through collaborative working within teams and other services. As Ireland has specifically trained nurses in intellectual disability, it has a prime opportunity to address the health needs and concerns of people with intdisability and actively advocate for how services develop and responds to the changing health needs of ageing people with intellectual disability.

Intellectual disability nursing and transcultural care.

In today's healthcare environment, nurses are urged to use up-to-date research evidence to ensure better patient outcomes and inform nursing decisions, actions and interactions with patients. Within the practice setting, there is an increasing challenge to provide care to patients from minority ethnic groups. In order to deliver care to different cultural groups, nurses need to recognize and empathize with patients' belief systems, being mindful of their diverse cultural needs. This article presents the concept of transcultural care and identifies issues within intellectual disability nursing through a focus on the components identified by Campinha-Bacote (2002; 2003) and Cortis (2003): cultural awareness, cultural skill, cultural knowledge, cultural encounter and cultural desire. It highlights the issues which are relevant to nursing practice, cultural care and service provision for persons with intellectual disability from ethnic minorities in Ireland.

Health promotion for people with intellectual disability and obesity.

Obesity is a significant health problem for people with intellectual disability, as they report a 59% higher rate of obesity as compared with those in the general population (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006). Causes are multifactorial and obesity leads to a higher risk of developing chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. While the risks of these conditions generally increase with age, people with an intellectual disability are at risk of developing them earlier owing to their higher levels of obesity. Client groups with mild intellectual disability residing in a group home or family home are at a higher risk of obesity than those in institutional care, mainly owing to increased independence and available choices. Healthcare services have predominantly focused on the primary disability rather than on prevention or reduction of secondary health conditions. As health promotion enables people to gain control over their lives, it is essential to address the health concern of obesity for people with intellectual disability. This article highlights the issues in health care faced by people with an intellectual disability and aspects that health professionals need to consider when engaging in health promotion for those who are obese.

Transformational leadership in nursing practice.

Traditionally, nurses have been over-managed and led inadequately, yet today they face unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Organisations constantly face changes that require an increasingly adaptive and flexible leadership. This type of adaptive leadership is referred to as 'transformational'; under it, environments of shared responsibilities that influence new ways of knowing are created. Transformational leadership motivates followers by appealing to higher ideas and moral values, where the leader has a deep set of internal values and ideas. This leads to followers acting to sustain the greater good, rather than their own interests, and supportive environments where responsibility is shared. This article focuses on transformational leadership and its application to nursing through the four components of transformational leadership. These are: idealised influence; inspirational motivation; intellectual stimulation; and individual consideration.

Introducing evidence into nursing practice: using the IOWA model.

Evidence-based practice has gained increasing popularity in all healthcare settings. Nurses are urged to use up-to-date research evidence to ensure better patient outcomes and inform decisions, actions and interactions with patients, to deliver the best possible care. Within the practice setting, there is an increasing challenge to provide clearly measurable care of the highest quality, which is evidence-based. In order for nurses to operate from an evidence-based perspective, they need to be aware of how to introduce, develop and evaluate evidence-based practice. This article presents how evidence may be introduced into practice using the Iowa model, offering practical advice and explanation of the issues concerning nurses in practice.