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Chapter 6 Phase Two
suggested that this phase of the research has contributed to the operationalisation
of the concept. Reflection excerpt no. 4 describes the progress and how it was
made.
Reflection Excerpt no.4
Well there has been lots of progress made in recent times and I am starting to
feel like we are really getting somewhere. At times it was difficult for staff to stay
motivated but I think we managed to overcome this by constant facilitation. I
started to be on the unit more often - both in uniform and out of uniform. I
scheduled more structured action planning meetings for the days I am not in
uniform and repeat these in order to meet everyone. These meetings have greatly
added to the action research approach. They give an opportunity to brainstorm
ideas and deal with any issues, queries or concerns so that everyone can be part
of the research process. I am constantly encouraging open communication and it
seems to be really enhancing the project. The critical companionship approach
really helped to and it also helped me to understand each staff member better
and I also got to know the residents better too. Staff got very excited about the
arrival of the new care plan trolleys and folders. The unit administrator has been
very helpful with this part of the project and I realise that internal support is
invaluable for the success of change projects. Staff decided to put photographs of
the residents on the front of their care plan folder and it is amazing how much
excitement it aroused. Comments like “aren’t they lovely”. “It really finishes
them off”. “It makes them more individualised” and “it makes them more
personal”. One male resident noticed the new folders on the ward and was
visibly proud of his picture and his folder and proceeded to remind me not to
forget to add in about his interest in gardening!
6.6 Step 5: Specifying the learning
There was much learning from this small change in practice which was guided
by action research principles. Staff learned how to care plan for the enhancement
of resident autonomy, how to negotiate with residents, how to gather life stories
from residents and communicate with them more effectively. Anecdotally, it
helped staff to reflect on the routine of the day and the approach to task-based
care. Most importantly, a repeat documentary analysis revealed an increase in
resident autonomy. The findings demonstrate that there was an improvement in
all aspects of autonomy.
While the research participants from phase one of this research had decided that
they wished to enhance resident autonomy by implementing this change in
practice there were many barriers to be overcome. These included helping staff