Midwifery students' views and experiences of birth on mainstream factual television.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate midwifery students' experiences of viewing childbirth on mainstream factual television and to explore implications for student career intentions and potential pedagogical uses of television excerpts in midwifery education. DESIGN: Twenty-two undergraduate midwifery students at one of two universities took place in focus groups between February and June 2019. Ethical approval was obtained at both sites. Thematic analysis was employed to generate key themes from the data. SETTING: Two UK universities based in the East Midlands and East Yorkshire regions of England. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two midwifery students at any stage of their studies. FINDINGS: Researchers generated four key themes from the data a) Changed Perspectives on Televised Childbirth, b) Representations of Midwives and Social Implications, c) Representation of Childbirth and Social Implications and d) The Role of Televising Childbirth in Midwifery Education. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Midwifery students often experience a change of perspective on birth on television as they acquire new knowledge and skills. They recognise the potential social implications of how childbirth and midwifery are represented on television. Pedagogical use of televised birth has potential benefits but needs further investigation in the context of midwifery education. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Midwifery students are likely to begin their studies with pre-existing views and experiences around how birth is represented on mainstream factual television. They may need support to reflect on these to consider their expectations of the profession, to effectively support childbearing women and to potentially influence future production of media images of childbirth.

The stigmatisation of people with chronic back pain.

PURPOSE: This study responded to the need for better theoretical understanding of experiences that shape the beliefs, attitudes and needs of chronic back patients attending pain clinics. The aim was explore and conceptualise the experiences of people of working age who seek help from pain clinics for chronic back pain. METHODS: This was a qualitative study, based on an interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA). During in-depth interviews in their homes, participants were invited to 'tell their story' from the time their pain began. Participants were twelve male and six female patients, aged between 28 and 62 years, diagnosed as having chronic benign back pain. All had recently attended one of two pain clinics as new referrals. The interview transcripts were analysed thematically. FINDINGS: Stigmatisation emerged as a key theme from the narrative accounts of participants. The findings expose subtle as well as overt stigmatising responses by family, friends, health professionals and the general public which appeared to have a profound effect on the perceptions, self esteem and behaviours of those interviewed. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that patients with chronic back pain feel stigmatised by the time they attend pain clinics and this may affect their attitudes and behaviours towards those offering professional help. Theories of chronic pain need to accommodate these responses, while pain management programmes need to address the realities and practicalities of dealing with stigma in everyday life.

The social consequences for older people of neuropathic pain: a qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: Neuropathic pain is a common problem in later life. It remains relatively refractory to treatment and in terms of social consequences may be particularly problematic for older people. OBJECTIVE: This study set out to explore the lived experiences of older people with neuropathic pain, in particular their social experiences and those of their partners/spouses. DESIGN: A qualitative approach was chosen, using semi-structured interviews. Sixteen people over the age of 60, who attended pain clinics, were interviewed in their homes. All interviews were audiotaped and the analysis was based on an Interpretative Phenomenological Approach. RESULTS: The study identified that a combination of pain-related limitations and uncertainties resulted in the social withdrawal of patients, and social isolation for both patients and their spouses. The findings illustrate the processes by which this occurs in this group of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The study raises important questions concerning the relationship between neuropathic pain, its physical and emotional consequences and social outcomes. The results highlight the importance of viewing neuropathic pain as a social phenomenon in which treatment and management should pay closer attention to the interpersonal and social needs and quality of life outcomes for the spouse or partner and family as well as the patient.

Perseverance by older people in their management of chronic pain: a qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: Many older people suffer from degenerative and chronic diseases resulting in chronic pain. It is important for health professionals and researchers to gain insights into experiences of chronic pain sufferers, so that they may understand the patient's perspective and instigate appropriate treatments. AIM: This study set out to gain insights into older people's perceptions about the effect of chronic pain on their lives and how they self-manage it. DESIGN: A qualitative approach to generating data based on Grounded Theory was chosen. Sixty-three people between the ages of 60 and 87 years participated and were interviewed using audiotape. The interviews were transcribed and subsequently analyzed, and the material was coded and collapsed into themes constituting the final grounded theory. RESULTS: As the data collection progressed, a major theme of perseverance emerged, supported by two subthemes: * keeping occupied, and * a focus on social activities. It became apparent that the participants were determined to get on with their lives. Those with strong social links appeared to have a more positive outlook on life. CONCLUSIONS: "Keeping going" was a priority for most of the participants. It may be beneficial to identify the ways in which older people persevere despite chronic pain. It is important for health professionals to appreciate the social factors which are important to, and valued by, older people who experience chronic pain.