Page 26 - QARANC Vol 14 No 13 2016

24 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Tri-Service Research Forum – March 2016
Defence Professor of Nursing, Academic Department of Military Nursing (ADMN) hosted a Tri-Service Research Forum on 22 March 2016 in the Rafaelli Theatre, DMS Whittington. The day comprised of interactive lectures and an interactive workshop focused on writing for publication. Several members of 204 Field Hospital attended the workshop as an introduction to research and publication. None of whom had any prior experience of writing for publication or research other than what they had been exposed to during nurse training.
The forum commenced with an introduction and update from Gp Capt Lamb (Prof Nursing, ADMN), Lt Col Bernthal (Senior Research Fellow) and Lt Cdr Alan Brockie (Lecturer) of ADMN. This was followed by a presentation by Lt Col Bernthal which gave information about why and where to publish, how to choose a journal and then looking at the military clearance process. Maj Norman Jones then explained his Randomised Control Trial (RCT) of The POST Study which was very interesting to hear the difficulties and realities of carrying out an RCT. The rest of the day focused on presentations and a workshop guiding us on how to critique a paper as well as some very interesting and interactive lectures and workshops including practical tips about writing for publication. The day concluded with a discussion about plans for the next research forum and we left the forum full of ideas and thoughts on how to develop these concepts further within our own unit.
There felt to be a “buzz” in the air and a real appetite for us as Defence nurses to become involved in Writing for Publication and Research. As a result, we are already discussing how we can move these ideas forward, and are intending to attend the next Tri-Service Research Forum on Wednesday 5 October 2016 at DMS Whittington.
Some of the comments we overheard from those who attended gave exceptionally positive feedback that we feel really very necessary to share. One delegate described how she was encouraged to attend by her head of department and went into the study day with little understanding of the research process, only ever having done enough to pass her degree. She commented “I found it an area of study that was complicated, convoluted and frankly above my head. It was an area of nursing that I was quite happy for other nurses to get on with. However, the forum set out the need for nurse led research, especially in the defence environment where nurses have a lot of valuable insights that differ from the National Health Service (NHS) mindset”. This was an important declaration especially for us as Reserve nurses as we can identify the differences between NHS practice and defence nursing quite uniquely and easily identify areas where the transfer of knowledge is likely to be most effective. She then went on to describe how the workshop “laid out the process for writing a paper for publication, in a clear and concise manner that would be very easy for a novice like me to attempt”. This was fantastic feedback for ADMN and a real incentive to ensure these workshops continue.
An overview of the writing for publication workshop was reflected on as part of our NMC revalidation reflective account and is shown below. (It should be noted that this is our own view and interpretation of the workshop and anyone interested in writing for publication should contact the ADMN for advice).
Writing for Publication
During the workshop Maj Paula Pearce presented a lecture on writing a first paper for publication. One of the key features highlighted from the lecture was the need for a good structure and layout for your paper. Gp Capt Lamb and Lt Col Bernthal expanded on this and described the way to achieve this is that a paper must consist of the following key elements:
Title It may be made up of descriptive terms and phrases that accurately highlight the core content of the paper using key words. The title can also be written last as it may change throughout your work.
Five key words These are words or concepts found in your research or thesis and are important as they are used as search terms both for the author and also the reader.
Abstract This should be like a marketing tool, providing a quick and accurate summary of the entire paper. It helps the reader decide whether there is something in the body of the paper worth reading; it may also be written at the end.
Introduction This should review the relevant literature of your topic, explaining the context in which your work is placed. It should clearly set out the rationale for the paper, highlighting the key objectives and aim of your work.
Method. Identifying your primary research, for example your process (by sharing this information you can allow a stranger to replicate your study). What did you do and how did you do it?
Results/ Findings Every aim of your paper should have related results. Present your results relating to your main aim firstly, and use a combination of text, tables and figures to reduce the length of your paper and complement not repeat the information.
Discussion This should review the main aims of your paper and highlight the results relating to these aims. It should then highlight some discussions around these findings and how they will impact on practice. Indications for practice can be discussed alongside recommendations for further work if needed.
“I went into the conference thinking that I would be out of my depth and was shocked and surprised at the end of the day that I was actually enthusiastic about a future that may include research”. This was remarkable feedback, and it was felt that we should share it with our professional colleagues, to encourage and motivate others in attending these forums and get involved with writing for publication and research in Defence nursing.
The workshop was relevant to all nurses irrespective of their experience and academic knowledge, and we would fully recommend any nurse to get involved.
Defence Professor Nursing, Academic Department of Military Nursing (ADMN) will be hosting a Research Forum and workshop on Wed 5 Oct 2016 in the Raffaelli Theatre, DMS Whittington. The event will consist of lectures and an interactive workshop related to research, audit and service evaluation. The workshop will be relevant to all nurses irrespective of their experience of research processes. Delegates are advised to bring some work and ideas that they wish to develop into research, an audit or a service evaluation. This forum is an ideal opportunity in which to present work undertaken, such as a literature review completed for an