Practice development within local NHS trusts
We are working with NHS trusts to promote practice development and workplace learning. Our approach seeks to develop clinical practice by integrating theory, practice, research and service user involvement.
The philosophy of this multi-professional programme is learning in the workplace and bringing the ‘university into service’; it is completely clinically-based. Clinical teams identify an area of practice they wish to develop or change and that constitutes ‘a project’. Each project has a team leader and two associates.
Although there are three lead persons, the requirement is for a whole team approach with service user involvement at all levels. The overall project development programme within a trust has senior management sponsorship and forms part of the trust’s strategic plan. Each project has a steering group to provide support, guide the project and facilitate sustainability. Steering group membership includes a senior clinical manager together with service users. The final task of the two year programme is a celebratory conference to showcase the project outcomes.
Project leaders undertake three education modules at either undergraduate or postgraduate level depending on previous academic attainment. These modules are directly related to the phases of the project and ensure integration of theory with practice and management. All module assignments are an integral part of project development, for example, literature review, research methodologies and portfolios.
An important part of the programme is the support offered by academic staff who work directly with project staff in the clinical areas.
This approach is currently being delivered within the South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust
and has shown many positive results. Project work has proved effective in developing teamwork and enabling learning from, and through, practice. It increases personal confidence, clinical awareness and leadership skills in the student. Employers benefit from active solutions, and patients have the opportunity to give their views on the development of their clinical environment and care plans. Project outcomes also contribute to trusts meeting the requirements of national standards.
Examples of projects include:
- Use of reflection as a tool for changing practice in psychiatric intensive care units
- Service user involvement in care planning
- Nursing perceptions of the use of seclusion.
For more information about practice development in the workplace, please contact Professor Mary Chambers, email m.chambers@sgul.kingston.ac.uk
