Research Heroes of the Month - December 2022
Sharing stories about interventionists - making a difference to people's health
Research heroes are individuals who are part of a hidden army of staff supporting research across the organisation. We want to take the opportunity to celebrate their contribution and thank them for making a difference.
We want to dedicate this month to interventionists.
Intervention studies usually require clinical staff training to deliver a new programme or therapy to service user participants and are vitally important in the development of new treatments. We’d like to celebrate two clinical colleagues who have supported our studies as interventionists.
Luke Woodhouse is a Physical Health Clinical Nurse Educator (RMN) who trained as a MyTry
Specialist earlier this year for the SCEPTRE study.
The MyTry programme provides specialist smoking cessation support as people transition back to the community following an acute inpatient admission. It supports service users who have stopped or reduced their tobacco use since being on a Smokefree ward to maintain those positive changes after discharge. Luke ended up the sole MyTry specialist for the study and delivered the programme to all participants. The SCEPTRE pilot could not have run without him – we are extremely grateful, and thrilled that he is able to continue for the feasibility phase next year.
Luke said “I was keen to support the study as an interventionist on the SCEPTRE project as it’s looking at bridging the gap that exists in smoke free interventions for patients who want to continue to be smoke free following discharge from acute mental health wards. It was great to build therapeutic relationships with the participants and support them to remain smoke free 12 weeks following discharge which has a massive impact on their long-term physical health.”
Anita Lawson, a Health Care Assistant, trained as a DIAMONDS Coach last year.
DIAMONDS is a self-management programme for people with type 2 diabetes and a serious mental illness (SMI). Anita showed her commitment to the study and to her participants during the DIAMONDS feasibility study. Her participants spoke highly of her and of the service she provided. We are delighted that Anita will continue working with us for the DIAMONDS randomised controlled trial.
Anita said “I showed an interest in the study because of the subject. Diabetes is a condition that is becoming increasingly common and affects so many people especially the group of people who we work with. It can cause serious complications that can sometimes be prevented through self-management. I was motivated to be able to guide people to learn ways to make behaviour changes that can improve their health, empower them to manage their condition and give them control over the way they feel day to day”.
R&D are now taking referrals for the next stage in the DIAMONDS study so if you work with someone who has type 2 diabetes and a serious mental illness please get in touch, we might be able to offer them the opportunity of joining the study.
Contact Lisa Hackney on 07980956795; lisa.hackney1@nhs.net