2004 IRISH SCIENTIST YEAR BOOK

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University of Ulster
Brendan McCormack
Working with Older People Research Group
The Working with Older People RG is the newest of the Research Groups in the School of Nursing and has been in existence since 2002. Collectively, we represent those staff with a particular interest in research and practice development in the field of gerontological nursing. Our research interests are influenced by our clinical practice experiences and current innovations in the field of gerontology. Our group is committed to a multidisciplinary approach to working with older people, and to ways of working that maximise opportunities for older people to be at the forefront of knowledge development. Many of the group members hold clinical partnerships with Health and Social Care providers in Northern Ireland, and these relationships are highly valued. Collectively, we have secured more than �900,000 in research grant income and have around 120 publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Our vision is to be at the forefront of innovations in gerontological practice through high quality and contemporary research and development activities. We aim to do this by:

1.�Building on the existing research and development expertise of staff.
2.�Working collaboratively with multi-agencies to develop research and development activities that are focused on maximising the potential of older people.
3.�Providing a forum for collaboration through research and development.
4.�Creating a culture of challenge and support among group members in order to develop rigorous research and development activities.
The group members have, as a key priority, the adoption of a strategic approach to research proposal development. We aim to develop research proposals that reflect our vision and aims and that focus on three key themes:

1.�Effectiveness of Practice and Services. Specific topic areas of interest to staff who work in this theme are:

  • �Evaluation of developments in community care;

  • �Explorations of older peoples' access to nursing care;

  • �Development and evaluation of single-assessment tools & processes;

  • �Relationship between critical reflection and practice outcomes;

  • �Treatment of older people in Accident & Emergency Services

2.�Vulnerable Older People. Specific topic areas of interest to staff who work in this theme are:

  • �The use of restraints in care services;

  • �Person-centred dementia care;

  • �Falls prevention

3.�Transitions. Specific topic areas of interest to staff who work in this theme are:

  • �Psychosocial transitions between care settings;

  • �Specialist and generalist practice in gerontological nursing;

  • 'Adjustments' through the life-span

Contact: Professor Brendan McCormack, Director of Nursing Research and Practice Development
(joint appointment with the Royal Hospitals Trust, Belfast);
Tel: 028 9063 5332;
E-mail: [email protected] ;
Web: http://www.science.ulst.ac.uk/cnr/workingwitholderpeople/