Student's journey through a Trauma Studies Educational programme: A Northern Irish perspective.

This paper presents findings of a qualitative research study which explored the experiences of part time students who completed a BSc(Hons) Trauma studies programme in Northern Ireland. Data collection involved semi structured interviews with seven students. Findings indicate a journey through the programme, during which students experienced both challenges and opportunities for development. Such challenges included responses to emotive content and barriers to sharing in classroom based dialogue. Moreover, participants felt the programme enhanced their knowledge as well as the supportive services they provided to those who have experienced a trauma. Findings suggest participants who had experienced a personal trauma appeared drawn to this programme.

How Do Trainees Rate the Impact of a Short Cognitive Behavioural Training Programme on their Knowledge and Skills?

Background: A strong evidence base for cognitive behavioural therapy has led to CBT models becoming available within mainstream mental health services. As the concept of stepped care develops, new less intensive mental health interventions such as guided self-help are emerging, delivered by staff not trained to the level of accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapists. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine how mental health staff evaluated the usefulness of a short training programme in CBT concepts, models and techniques for routine clinical practice.
Method: A cohort of mental health staff (n = 102) completed pre- and posttraining self-report questionnaires measuring trainee perceptions of the impact of a short training programme on knowledge and skills. Mentors and managers were also asked to comment on perceived impact of the training.
Results: Trainees and mentors reported perceived gains in knowledge and skills posttraining and at 1-year follow-up. Managers and trainees reported perceived improvements in skills and practice. Conclusion: A short Cognitive Behavioural skills programme can enable mental health staff to integrate basic CB knowledge and skills into routine clinical practice.

A randomised control trial evaluation of a literacy after-school programme for struggling beginning readers

While there is evidence for effective in-school programmes
for struggling beginning readers, the evidence in relation to after-schools
interventions focusing on academic outcomes is particularly weak. This study
seeks to contribute to this body of evidence through a randomized trial (n=464)
of an after-school literacy programme (DoodleDen) for struggling beginning readers in a deprived area of Dublin, Ireland.

The programme based on a balanced literacy framework, was delivered in group
settings, and had a strong focus on staff development. Doodle Den was found to improve the children’s overall literacy (d=+0.17), teacher assessments of their literacy ability (d=+0.28) and to positively impact on problem behaviours in regular school class (d=-0.18). The implications for
the development of after-school programmes are discussed.

Service user and carer participation in an endoscopy nursing programme

This article reports an initiative to improve students' insight into service user and carer experience of endoscopy, particularly those with severe disability, such as spinal cord injury. This insight has the potential to improve the information provided and level of person-centred care in an endoscopy service. It was evident in the feedback from the classroom encounter that the teaching and learning strategy had a positive outcome, which will allow us to integrate the approach into future curriculum development and delivery, bringing the lived experience from the service user and carer perspective into the classroom. Students engaged in discussion and used their reflective skills to develop sensitivity to those with physical disability and complex needs requiring endoscopy procedures.