Nursing

Established in 2007, the Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Research aims to provide a resource for the co-ordination and strategic development of research by nurses and midwives at RCSI.

The first 5-year strategy was developed in 2010 and has set a range of goals and objectives which are closely aligned with the RCSI Research Strategy and which will guide future research in six thematic areas: Cancer Care; Chronic Illness; Professional Development and Education; Wound Management and Tissue Repair; Infection Control and Research Methodologies.

Day Surgery in Ireland: This Health Research Board funded project aims to describe the current provision of day surgery in public and private hospitals in Ireland and to identify barriers to the expansion of this service. It will develop guidelines and a model of care for day surgery and pilot this in one acute hospital. The study team includes nurses, surgeons, clinicians and health analysts from RCSI, Connolly Hospital, and the ESRI.

Evaluation of the role of the CNS in Cancer Care: This is a collaborative study with St. Luke's Hospital in Co. Dublin which aims to determine the impact of the role of the CNS in cancer care from the perspective of the CNS, the patient and other health professionals. .

Describing the role of the nurse in radiation oncology: This is a collaborative study with St. Luke's Hospital in Co. Dublin. Through focus groups, questionnaires and consensus meetings this study will describe the role and develop a set a core competencies for the nurse working in radiation oncology.

Eportfolios in Nursing: In partnership with the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (NCNM) and eportfolio was developed and piloted. A research study is currently in progress which aims to evaluate the use of eportfolios and in nursing and midwifery education. 

Stroke: Paving the Way to Integrated Care: This study tracks the journey of a number of stroke patients from hospital admission through to discharge and will describe the nursing assessment of stroke patients and the referral and communication processes prior to discharge. 

Pressure Ulcer Prevention: This HRB funded, randomised controlled trial aimed to determine the effect of repositioning at night time, on the number of pressure ulcers that developed among older persons nursed in 12 long-stay settings. The study used a novel repositioning technique and compared it to usual care. .

Lower extremity amputations in Ireland: In collaboration with the ESRI and department of podiatry in NUI Galway this study aims to examine the rates of lower limb amputations in Ireland over a 5-year period with particular focus on geographical variations and amputation rates in persons with diabetes.