Project Title

An evaluation of the efficacy of using online conferencing tools to support and supervise student nurses and midwives in practice  

Research Focus

Our focus is the generation of student nurses finishing their training during COVID-19 

Funder & Dates

ESRC impact acceleration account - £3,000 – to commence in June 2020 

Principal Investigator or Primary Supervisor (if PhD project)

Dr Breidge Boyle 

Co-Investigators or additional supervisors

Monica Donavan, Gillian Lyall, Clare Hughes, Deirdre O’Neill, Lucy Simms and Matt Birch 

Research Fellow(s) or PhD Student

Dr Amy Wong 

Name & Institution of Collaborators

Name of External Partner Organisations

Description of Project:

Aim; Methods; Expected Outcomes

Due to strict social distancing policies in the hospitals, link lecturers are unable to visit their students to offer support in the traditional way. Ironically this is happening at a time when, arguably, support is most needed. Over the last few years various online conferencing tools had been suggested as useful in contacting students on remote clinical placements but these had not yet been implemented. Suddenly remote communication between lecturer and practicing students has become imperative and online conferencing has been introduced immediately.   

We aim to carry out an exploration of the communication and support between QUB School of Nursing and Midwifery link lecturers and students asked to potentially join the nursing or midwifery register early due to the COVID 19 crisis. We will also explore the student’s perceptions on how this unprecedented situation will affect their transition into professional life. This will be achieved through focus groups including students and staff separately. 

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