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Fostering Academic Inclusion and Representation: Enhancing Research Capacity for Black Nursing Academics in UK Universities—A Qualitative Multi‐Study Protocol

ABSTRACT

Background

Nursing as a profession remains underrepresented in research leadership, funding success and scholarly authorship globally, which limits its influence on policy and practice. Within this broader context, racially minoritised nursing academics, including Black academics, face additional inequities that further hinder their visibility and progression. Evidence from the United States, Canada and Australia highlights persistent barriers to research careers and leadership opportunities for Black nurses. In the United Kingdom, these disparities are particularly evident: Black nursing academics face barriers to conducting research while in the wider National Health Service workforce, Black nurses are twice less likely than their White counterparts to be promoted. Together, these patterns constrain career progression and hinder the development of culturally competent healthcare education and practice.

Aim

To explore the barriers to conducting research among Black nursing academics working in UK universities that are not traditionally research intensive, and to co-create pragmatic, theory-informed recommendations for enabling supportive and equitable research environments.

Design

A qualitative multi-study design underpinned by Intersectionality Theory and The Silences Framework.

Methods

Two work packages are proposed. Work Package 1 will use semi-structured interviews to explore the experiences and barriers of conducting research among up to 15 Black nursing academics based at UK universities that are not research-intensive. Work Package 2 will adopt a modified Delphi methodology, engaging key collaborators in two rounds of online codesign workshops. Findings from Work Package 1 will inform structured discussions in which collaborators will develop theory-informed, pragmatic recommendations to strengthen research capacity and engagement among Black nursing academics.

Conclusion

This study will address the persistent underrepresentation of Black nursing academics in research. While grounded in the UK, the anticipated outputs will have wider applicability, informing policy, shaping institutional strategies and guiding future research priorities across diverse academic and healthcare systems worldwide.

Prevention and Early Delirium Identification Carer Toolkit (PREDICT): A Study Protocol for a Stepped‐Wedge, Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT

Background

Delirium, a common, serious and often preventable complication in older hospitalised adults, contributes to significant health and social care costs. Carers are uniquely positioned to identify early signs and support delirium prevention. The Prevention & Early Delirium Identification Carer Toolkit (PREDICT), a novel model of care designed to educate carers about delirium management and prevention strategies, enables them to actively participate in the care and recovery of their person. Developed through a comprehensive literature review, a co-designed eDelphi and pilot study, PREDICT demonstrated acceptability and feasibility.

Aims

To evaluate the effectiveness, implementation and cost-benefit of a PREDICT in hospital settings.

Method

A stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial (SW-cRCT), consisting of a cohort study, healthcare service evaluation, and process evaluation. The study will assess carer and staff knowledge of delirium, carer care giving stress, health service outcomes (e.g., incidence, length of stay, readmissions) and cost-benefit.

Discussion

PREDICT is a scalable, person-centred approach that supports both patients and carers, with the potential to embed best-practice delirium management into routine healthcare.

Public and Patient Involvement

This study was developed in consultation with older adults, carers and healthcare staff. Two consumer representatives joined the project steering committee and contributed to shaping the research question, refining the study protocol and selecting outcome measures relevant to families and healthcare staff. Carers were involved in reviewing participant information sheets and the PREDICT website, providing feedback to ensure clarity and accessibility. Results will be shared with participants and the wider community through plain-language summaries and public presentations.

Trial Registration

Australian and New Zealand Clinical trial: ACTRN12625000705482 registered on the 3rd of July 2025

Nurse‐led sequential multiple assignment randomized trial of nudging intervention for early antiretroviral therapy initiation among patients with HIV/AIDS: Implementation study protocol

Abstract

Aims

In China, more than 30% of patients have not initiated treatment within 30 days of HIV diagnosis. Delayed initiation has a detrimental influence on disease outcomes and increases HIV transmission. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led antiretroviral therapy initiation nudging intervention for people newly diagnosed with HIV in China to find the optimal intervention implementation strategy.

Methods

A Hybrid Type II sequential multiple assignment randomized trial will be conducted at four Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Hunan, China. This study will recruit 447 people newly diagnosed with HIV aged ≥18 years and randomly assign them into two intervention groups and one control group. On top of the regular counselling services and referrals, intervention groups will receive a 4-week, 2-phase intervention based on the dual-system theory and the nudge theory. The control group will follow the currently recommended referral procedures. The primary outcomes are whether treatment is initiated, as well as the length of time it takes. The study outcomes will be measured at the baseline, day 15, day 30, week 12, week 24 and week 48. Generalized estimating equations and survival analysis will be used to compare effectiveness and explore factors associated with antiretroviral therapy initiation. Both qualitative and quantitative information will be collected to assess implementation outcomes.

Discussion

Existing strategies mostly target institutional-level factors, with little consideration given to patients' decision-making. To close this gap, we aim to develop an effective theory-driven nudging strategy to improve early ART initiation.

Impact

This nurse-led study will help to prevent delayed initiation by employing implementation science strategies for people newly diagnosed with HIV. This study contributes to the United Nations' objective of ending the AIDS pandemic by 2030.

Trial Registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2300070140. The trial was prospectively registered before the first participant was recruited.

Patient and public involvement

The nudging intervention was finalized through the Nominal Group Technique where we invited five experts in the related field and five people living with HIV to participate.

Cultivating Compassion in Students for End‐Of‐Life Processes: A Mixed‐Methods Participatory Research Protocol

ABSTRACT

Aims

To analyse the impact of a participatory process of awareness and reflection on compassion, in the face of end-of-life processes, in students aged 12–23 years in six Spanish regions, and to understand how the participatory process can transform their compassion.

Design

Mixed sequential transformative methodology with different phases. In the first phase, a prospective quasi-experimental design with evaluation pre-post in a single group will be adopted. The second phase is the intervention under study, which will consist of a Participatory Action Research with concurrent evaluations.

Methods

In the quantitative phase, 1390 students aged 12–23 from a Public University and a Public Secondary Education Institute across six different Spanish regions will be included. A single questionnaire will be administered before and after the Participatory Action Research to contribute to the process evaluation, incorporating four scales (compassion for others' lives, Death Anxiety Scale, basic empathy modified for adolescents and self-compassion). Responses will be recorded in the Research Electronic Data Capture system. For data analysis, comparison groups, change evolution and associations between variables will be examined, along with multivariate logistic regression models. In the qualitative phase of participatory action research, a promoter group will be established in each university and secondary school in every region. Qualitative data will be analysed following the authenticity, transferability, auditability and neutrality criteria. Discourse analysis triangulation will be conducted to achieve data saturation.

Conclusions

Implementing participative action research in the educational environment to improve students' compassion makes them capable of founding compassion communities to help those who have a terminal illness.

Reporting Method

This study will adhere to the relevant EQUATOR guidelines, such as the Good Reporting of a Mixed Methods Study guideline, to efficiently report its results through the different steps of this mixed-methods study.

Patient or Public Contribution

Participatory action research is a method that enables participants to act as researchers of the phenomenon under study, facilitating the immediate application of results within the context. Although students did not participate in the writing of the proposal grant or the research design.

Trial and Registration

This study registered on Clinical Trials (NCT06310434), was initiated in January 2024, and it will continue up to December 2026.

Nursing Implications

This multicentre study will contribute to the nursing community with an overview of compassion for those at the end of their lives among young people and provide the knowledge needed to cultivate compassion at universities and schools.

Impact

Implementing compassion programmes and death education in the educational environment will empower students to create a compassionate community. The double evaluation of the process will contribute to the qualitative databases.

Developing an Intervention to Improve Sexual Health Assessment and Care in Men With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

ABSTRACT

Aim

To co-produce a prototype intervention to help nurses improve the assessment and care of the sexual health needs of men with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease can have a significant impact on the sexual health and well-being of men, but has largely been neglected in research and clinical guidelines. Men with the disease report that sexual health is not discussed during consultations, while healthcare practitioners describe a lack of confidence to initiate sexual health assessments. At present, no evidence-based tool exists to support nurses in detecting, assessing, and providing care for the sexual health of men with the disease.

Design

A mixed-methods study shaped by phase 1 of the Medical Research Council's framework for the development of complex interventions.

Methods

(1) Cross-sectional surveys of (i) men with inflammatory bowel disease, (ii) nurses, and (iii) inflammatory bowel disease services to determine the current state of sexual health provision across the UK National Health Service. (2) Semi-structured interviews with men and the partners of men with IBD and asynchronous focus groups with health professionals to explore appropriate and acceptable ways to provide sexual healthcare. (3) Three consecutive co-production workshops inclusive of men with the disease, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders to formulate a prototype intervention.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

This study will create an evidence-based prototype intervention that will provide nurses with the knowledge and skills required to effectively assess the sexual health needs of men with inflammatory bowel disease and provide appropriate, patient-centred care.

Patient Contribution

The study design was supported by a patient group. The study delivery will be supported by a patient co-investigator and stakeholder group inclusive of men with lived experience of the disease.

Reporting Method

This report adheres to the SPIRIT 2013 checklist for standard protocol items for clinical trials.

Trial Registration

clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT06562751

Family Communication to Enhance Adolescent Depression Recovery—Intervention Development Protocol

ABSTRACT

Aim

To develop a structured intervention aimed at enhancing family communication to reduce relapse in adolescents with depression.

Design

This study follows a multi-stage process guided by the Intervention Mapping procedure with the Medical Research Council framework, assessing the layers of complexity. Its design comprises four interrelated stages to construct a family communication intervention, culminating in a pilot randomised controlled trial.

Methods

The program has four stages: (1) Identifying family interaction gaps through literature review and expert input; (2) Investigating communication needs of depressed adolescents and their families via a mixed methods study to develop a model intervention; (3) Refining the intervention with focus groups and expert e-Delphi; and (4) Finalising the intervention based on pilot randomised controlled trial outcomes. The research will be conducted in Greater Accra, Ghana.

Results

The process will result in a family communication intervention tailored to the needs of adolescents with depression and their families. It will be pilot tested, and the results will inform a nationwide efficacy trial.

Conclusion

This research integrates qualitative and quantitative data to inform the development of an evidence-based family communication intervention. The program will carefully examine data integration and contextual challenges encountered during its implementation.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

The intervention has the potential to enhance family communication, thus playing a crucial role in adolescent depression recovery by reducing relapse rates. Healthcare professionals will benefit from a structured, evidence-based communication tool that can be used in clinical settings.

Impact

The study focuses on improving communication between families of adolescents with depression, aiming to develop a family communication package for clinical and community use. This intervention may enhance recovery outcomes and reduce relapse risk for adolescents.

Reporting Method

This study adhered to the GUIDED guideline for reporting intervention development studies.

Patient or Public Contribution

No Patient or Public Contribution.

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