your mind at any time.
What happens if I decide not to take part? You will not be disadvantaged in any way if you don’t wish to take part.
What does participating involve, and what do I have to do? Participating in this study involves the completion of the enclosed questionnaire, which asks for basic information about your training, nursing experience, post-registration courses and demographic information. Following the questionnaire – and if you indicate that you are willing for this to happen - you may be asked to take part in an interview. The interview will involve discussing encounters that you have had with patients, relating to the purpose of the study, as above. I will ask you not to use patients’ real names, in order to maintain patient confidentiality. I would expect an interview to last no longer than an hour, at most. If you decide to take part, the interview will be arranged during working hours at a time suitable to yourself and to your ward/department. The nurse manager in your ward/department has agreed to nurses completing the questionnaire and attending the interviews during working hours. Interviews will be audiotaped, subject to your agreement.
Appendix I
2/2 Appendix I, Participant Information Sheet, Version 2, 23 November 2006
What are the possible benefits of taking part? You may find it interesting and helpful to discuss potentially difficult encounters that you have had with patients.
What will happen to the results of the project? The results of the study will be included in the thesis that I will write as part of my course. I also aim to publish the results in an appropriate professional journal, and possibly present at a meeting or conference, should that be possible. Any identifiable details will be changed in the writing-up, in order to maintain confidentiality, and in order to protect you, other participating nurses, patients, and other people who may be mentioned during the interviews.
Who is organizing the research? I am organising the research, supervised by my course tutor, from the University of Stirling.
Who has reviewed this study? The University of Stirling Departmental Research Ethics Committee for Nursing and Midwifery and Highland Local Research Ethics Committee.
If you are happy to participate in this project, I should be grateful if you would sign the enclosed consent form, complete the questionnaire, and return them both to me asap (if possible by 18 December 2006) in the addressed envelope provided. I should appreciate it if you would complete and return the questionnaire, even if not willing to take part in the interviewing part of the project.
Please contact me, as below, if you would like any further information. If you would like to discuss the any aspect of the study, with an independent healthcare professional, Tracy McGlynn, clinical psychologist, oncology, based in the Maggie Centre at
Raigmore Hospital, and Iain MacRitchie, hospital chaplain at Raigmore Hospital, can also be contacted, as below.
Ing-Marie Logie
Cardiovascular Research Nurse Highland Heartbeat Centre Raigmore Hospital
Old Perth Road, Inverness, IV2 3 UJ
Work Tel: 01463 705 944 (ext 5944 or bleep 7017) Home Tel: 01463 791 594
Tracy McGlynn
Clinical Psychologist Oncology The Maggie Centre
Raigmore Hospital Old Perth Road Inverness, IV2 3 UJ Tel: 01463 706 306
Iain MacRitchie Hospital Chaplain The Chaplaincy Office Raigmore Hospital Old Perth Road Inverness, IV2 3 UJ Tel: 01463 704 467
Appendix II, Consent Form, Version 2, 23 November 2006
CONSENT FORM
Study Title: Nurses responses in spiritual encounters with patients
Please tick, as appropriate:
I have read the participant information leaflet and had the opportunity to ask any questions relating to this study.
I understand that my participation in this study is entirely voluntary and that I will not be disadvantaged in any way should I choose not to take part in this study or an aspect of it.
I understand that I may change my mind at any time, without giving a reason and that I will not be disadvantaged in any way for doing so.
I understand that information that I provide will be treated in confidence and that neither my name, nor any identifying information will be disclosed.
I understand that details that could potentially identify patients, their relatives or any member of staff will be changed in the writing-up.
I understand that I can contact Tracy McGlynn, Clinical Psychologist for the Oncology Department, or Iain MacRitchie, Hospital Chaplain at Raigmore Hospital (details provided in the Participant Information Sheet), for advice or support concerning any aspect of my involvement in this study.
I am happy to complete the enclosed questionnaire. I also consent to being contacted directly by the researcher (Ing-Marie Logie) and to attend an audiotaped interview. I consent for non-identifying data to be stored on a computer and for transcripts of the recorded interview to be kept in a safe area for the duration of the study.
……..………. ……..……….
Name of Participant Signature of Participant Date
……..………. ……..……….
Name of Researcher Signature of Researcher Date
University of Stirling
Highland Campus, Old Perth Road Inverness, IV2 3FG, Scotland
Appendix III
Participant Code ……… Appendix III, Questionnaire, Version 1, 16 May 2005
1/2
University of Stirling
Highland Campus, Old Perth Road
Inverness IV2 3FG Scotland QUESTIONNAIRE
Study Title: Nurses responses in spiritual encounters with patients
Age:
Less than 30 years old
30 – 39 years old 40 – 49 years old 50 – 59 years old 60 years old or over Sex: Male Female Current ward/department: Macmillan Suite (Oncology) Ward 1A (Oncology)
Ward 6A (Medical) Ward 7C (Medical)
Ward 6C (Medical) Ward 11 (Medical)
Please indicate any academic qualifications that you hold:
Certificate
Diploma
Degree
Post-graduate
Please give brief details: ...………
Please indicate any courses that you have completed, relating to any of the following issues:
Palliative care
Heart Failure
Oncology
Spirituality
Please give brief details: ...…………
Please indicate any courses that you are currently undertaking, relating to any of the following issues:
Palliative care
Heart Failure
Oncology
Spirituality
Participant Code ……… Appendix III, Questionnaire, Version 1, 16 May 2005
2/2
Do you regards yourself as having any religious faith?
Yes No Uncertain
Have you worked in your current speciality, oncology or medical nursing, for one year or more (not necessarily in your current post)?
Yes No
How many years/months nursing experience do you have, since qualifying?
... Years ... Months
What is your current grade? C D E F G H
Please tick the box, and enter your name and telephone number, if willing to take part in the interview phase of the project (see information sheet)
Yes, I am willing to take part in the interview phase of the project No, I am not willing to take part in the interview phase of the project
First name ...…………... Surname ……...…...
Telephone number ...…………...
Thank you for completing this questionnaire, please return together with the consent form in the enclosed stamped, addressed envelope.
Appendix IV
Participant Code ……… Appendix IV, Participant Preparation Sheet,
Version 2, 23 November 2006
PARTICIPANT PREPARATION SHEET
Study Title: Nurses responses in spiritual encounters with patients
I would like you to think of a particular situation that has arisen in the last couple of years and with a patient who is, potentially, seriously ill or dying. Here is a list of the kinds of situations I have in mind:
A situation when a patient asked: “Why me?” or “What have I done to deserve this?“ A time when you felt that a patient had lost their strong belief, confidence or trust
(faith) in themselves, another person or in God
When you tried to give a patient hope - for something to happen, or not to happen (for example a cure, symptom relief, dying peacefully)
When a patient asked: “What is the point of it all?”
A situation when a patient talked about what happens after death A time when you referred a patient to a chaplain or minister When a patient expressed feelings of despair (hopelessness)
A situation when a patient expressed feelings of hopelessness or appeared to give up hope - for something to happen, or not to happen (for example a cure, symptom relief, dying peacefully)
When a patient talked to you about faith (a strong belief, confidence or trust in somebody or something) or religion
A situation when you found it difficult to care for a patient due to his/her religion
There may be only one situation you can think of that matches any of these
descriptions, or there may be two or three. Between now and the interview, it would be helpful if you could jot down a few very brief notes, just to remind yourself of the circumstances in each case, so that you can tell me about it when we meet. Please remember not to use patients’ real names when making your notes, in order to maintain patient confidentiality.
Some of these questions could arise when “there is nothing more to do” (to improve prognosis) for patients. While I am allowing 45 minutes to an hour for interviews, it doesn’t have to take that long. You may think of a situation, but feel that there isn’t all that much to say about it and that is fine.
University of Stirling
Highland Campus, Old Perth Road Inverness IV2 3FG Scotland
Participant Code ……… Appendix V, Interview Schedule, Version 1, 16 May 2005 INTERVIEW SCHEDULE
Study Title: Nurses responses in spiritual encounters with patients
Welcome and thanks for attending. Informed consent confirmed.
Remind participant of confidentiality.
Confirm participant received trigger cues, to prepare for interview. Tape-recording - remind participant and confirm consent.
Remind participant not use patients’ real names.
May scribble down some notes while talking – mention to participant. Tell me if you would like me to stop the recording.
o What happened?
What did the patient do or say?
How did you respond/What did you do? Address yourself, defer, refer, ignore?
Where any other people, including staff, involved and if so what did they do or say?
o How did those involved feel?
How do you think the patient felt?
How did you feel about the situation?
How do you think others involved felt about the situation? o Why did you responded the way you did?
What influenced your response and actions?
Who, if anybody, did you talk to about this situation?
How do you feel about the situation now? o What happened afterwards?
Was there any change in the situation?
Did anyone comment on it later?
Do you think the matter was resolved?
o Could you have managed the situation differently?
How?
What would have made a difference to how you responded?
Would you do anything differently if this happened again? o Do you have any faith/religious beliefs?
o Are you aware of spirituality in your own life?
In what sense, and with what effects?
How is this relevant to you?
o Have your views on these matters been influenced by your experiences as a nurse? Thanks for taking part in this study.
University of Stirling
Highland Campus, Old Perth Road Inverness IV2 3FG Scotland
Appendix VI
Participant Code ……… Appendix VI, Participant Support, Version 1, 16 May 2005 PARTICIPANT SUPPORT INFORMATION
Study Title: Nurses responses in spiritual encounters with patients
INDEPENDENT ADVISORS FOR PROJECT
Tracy McGlynn Iain MacRitchie
Clinical Psychologist Oncology Hospital Chaplain
The Maggie Centre The Chaplaincy Office
Raigmore Hospital Raigmore Hospital
Old Perth Road, Inverness, IV2 3 UJ Old Perth Road, Inverness, IV2 3 UJ
Tel: 01463 706 306 Tel: 01463 704 467
OTHER SUPPORT
ICAS – Employee Support Helpline telephone number (0800 138 4389) RCN counselling service, telephone number (0845 769 7064).
Samaritans (local number 01463 713456, national number 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
08457 90 90 90)
University of Stirling
Highland Campus, Old Perth Road Inverness IV2 3FG Scotland
Participant Code ……… Appendix VI, Interview Invite, Version 1, 16 May 2005 2005
Address Dear
Re: Study Title “Nurses responses in spiritual encounters with patients
Thank you very much for returning your completed questionnaire. I am writing to invite you to take part in the interview, mentioned in the information letter (copy enclosed, with my contact details) that you received with the questionnaire. I have also enclosed a preparation sheet for you to read, to help you think of a relevant situation that you would be happy to talk to me about.
I will contact you within the next couple of week to arrange a time, within your working hours, when we can meet for the interview that I expect will last up to 45 minutes, if you are still happy to take part in this study.
Yours sincerely
Ing-Marie Logie (Mrs)
University of Stirling
Highland Campus, Old Perth Road Inverness IV2 3FG Scotland