Hilary Mairs

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe the findings from an electronic questionnaire survey which set out to explore experiences of graduates of a part-time Master’s programme in dementia care at The University of Manchester. Design/methodology/approach: An electronic questionnaire survey was sent to 57 graduates who had studied on the programme since it began in 2003. Thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data from responses to six open-ended questions. Findings: In total, 31 completed questionnaires were received. Four key themes were identified from the qualitative data: juggling competing demands; experiencing personal growth and achievement; locating sources of support; and supporting changes to practice. Research limitations/implications: Limitations included the small sample size and the survey not covering the experiences of students who had failed to complete the first year of study. Originality/value: The study demonstrates the perceived value of dementia education at more advanced levels for people working in professional roles in dementia care, this included professional and personal development and supporting changes to practice. The study additionally adds to a limited evidence base relating to how mature, health and social care students experience part-time study in higher education and has implications for future research aimed at informing the development of appropriate course design and employer support.

Introduction: An adequate quantity and quality of sleep is a necessary pre-requisite for optimal occupational performance and participation in everyday life. Occupational therapists in various settings encounter people who are affected by sleep problems, but the contribution occupational therapists can make to help those experiencing sleep problems has not yet been fully defined. Method: This paper reports upon a focus group study designed to elicit the views of occupational therapists working in mental health settings (where sleep disturbances are particularly prevalent) regarding their role in relation to sleep problems. Thematic analysis using a constant comparative approach was used to capture key themes. Findings: Occupational therapists identified sleep as a significant and persistent occupational problem for many of their clients, and acknowledged that sleep was often overlooked. Although they could identify a series of possible strategies to address sleep needs they were uncertain regarding optimal practice. Conclusion: Sleep is a valid and relevant area of concern for the profession. Given the findings of this study and the paucity of literature there is an urgent need to identify, design and evaluate occupational therapy assessments and interventions to address sleep problems in mental health and in other settings.

Individuals who experience serious mental ill health such as schizophrenia are more likely to be overweight or obese than others in the general population. This high prevalence of obesity and other associated metabolic disturbances, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, contribute to a reduced life expectancy of up to 25 years. Several reasons have been proposed for high levels of obesity including a shared biological vulnerability between serious mental ill health and abnormal metabolic processes, potentially compounded by unhealthy lifestyles. However, emerging evidence suggests that the most significant cause of weight gain is the metabolic side effects of antipsychotic medication, usual treatment for people with serious mental ill health. In this paper we review the prevalence of obesity in people with serious mental ill health, explore the contribution that antipsychotic medication may make to weight gain and discuss the implications of this data for future research and the practice of mental health and other professionals.

The pragmatic randomised controlled trial is widely regarded as the gold standard method for evaluating the effectiveness of health care interventions. Successful conduct of trials and generalisation of findings depends upon efficient recruitment of representative samples, which often requires the collaboration of 'gatekeepers' who mediate access to potential participants. Effective negotiation of gatekeeping is thus vital to process and outcomes of trials and the quality of evidence. Whilst relevant literature contains discussion of the problems of recruitment and gatekeeping, little is known about how recruitment can be optimised and factors leading to successful recruitment.