Participating in action research on a health promotion project: a reflection

Abstract

A manager of the Out-Patient Department at Delancey Assessment and Rehabilitation Hospital, a semi-acute/acute unit specialising in assessment and rehabilitation for patients of all ages, attended a conference which led to the opportunity to participate in an action research project. Using a ‘tool’ devised by a team from South Bank University, it was hoped to monitorthe health promotion work done in the hospital and to demonstrate how this could be developed. The tool was used with groups of nurse students as a reflection aid during their Unit 3 (mental health/psychological needs) and Unit 4 (elderly care) placements. Using the tool gave structure to the sessions, enabling shortcomings to be highlighted and future plans to be formulated. It also demonstrated the way the students were starting to think about health promotion. Participation in the action research resulted in health promotion being introduced to a planned programme for students in clinical placements, which in turn increased their awareness and raised its profile throughout the hospital. The revised planned programme will be adapted for the longer placements now part of the student nurse curriculum and will include more practical experience of health promotion. Also, the implementation of training sessions for other grades of staff plus other disciplines will continue.