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This paper describes the results of a literature search which sought papers specifically on appreciative inquiry (AI) and older people. The results of this search suggested that there were not many papers which met these criteria, and those that did were more often discussion papers rather than research papers. This lack of publication belies the observation that research with older people could benefit from the positive approach entailed in an AI approach. The reasons for this are discussed in the paper, but the possibility is explored that some authors may be using AI, but not classifying their studies as this. The studies that do explicitly use AI have reported that participants became productively engaged in the process, but there is little evidence that this promising start has been followed up., (© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

Aim: This paper is a report of a study to explore the development of specialist staffing for older people in six case study sites in the United Kingdom., Background: In the United Kingdom there has been some concern about the health care available to older people, leading to the development of a National Service Framework. A key theme of this framework is the development of specialist staff skilled in providing services tailored to the needs of older people., Method: A soft systems methodology was used in 2004-2005 to carry out interviews with key people, including specialist nurses for older people, other service providers, patients and informal carers (n = 132) in six case study sites identified from a national questionnaire. Interviewees were asked to describe their perceptions of the development, its history and its impact., Findings: The development of specialist nursing services seemed to be shaped by national policy drivers for service development, which may not have been directly linked to the needs of older people. The ideal qualities of a specialist nurse for older people were described by participants as including not only knowledge and skills, but also personal characteristics., Conclusion: While progress has been made in establishing specialist posts, much remains to be explored about the roles of postholders, the qualities needed, and the support and preparation required. While advanced practice is a professional aspiration, a number of questions arise about the development of nursing as a self-directing profession in diverse international settings. Theories of specialist nursing practice also need to address the tensions between universal and local models and to consider theories about nursing older people.

The present paper reports on a study designed to investigate the validity and reliability of the Registered Nursing Care Contribution (RNCC) tool for assessing the level of nursing care required by care home residents. Care plan data from 186 residents in participating care homes were assessed by multiple assessors using the RNCC tool (i.e. care home registered nurses, a nurse researcher, an external care home expert and a nurses consultant). The Minimum Data Set (MDS) rating was used as a validated comparison. The findings from the study indicated that there were disparities between the RNCC and MDS bandings, and between different raters, with the external care home expert achieving the closest agreement with the MDS. This suggests that the use of the RNCC tool varies considerably according to the assessor, which also suggests that training of users is needed to ensure consistency and reliability. However, the difference between the outcomes of using the RNCC tool and the MDS suggests that assessment of nursing need may need to be re-examined to ensure validity.

Introduction: Systematic reviews are a useful approach for nurses to take in exploring issues important to their practice, and in this article the process of conducting a systematic literature review on integrated care for older people is described. The review was conducted as one strand of a research project aiming to inform the development of locality-based integrated care for older people in Northern Ireland, a development driven by observations of user needs., Methodology: Systematic literature review methodology is summarized and critiqued. The process of undertaking the review in this study is described with a focus on the first stage of identifying literature, and the challenges that this presents in a review which draws on multiple bodies of work., Results: Producing a systematic literature review in integrated care is a complex undertaking, comprising a variety of different sectors, organizations, care settings, professionals, and other users, with their own bodies of knowledge; the need for an inclusive approach; the need to search a wide range of databases; nonspecific terminology; and the inappropriateness of study design hierarchies as selection criteria., Conclusions: While such a literature review might provide a basis for research and practice, the ability of the review team to call upon a wide range of skills, experience, and knowledge across the information management field and the care system is crucial.

As nursing develops closer partnerships with older people in delivering care, it also needs to develop partnerships in order to create the knowledge base for practice in a way that challenges professional hegemony and empowers older people. However, the process of developing partnerships in research takes place against a background of academic research traditions and norms, which can present obstacles to collaboration. This paper is a reflection on the issues that have arisen in three projects where older people were involved in research at different levels, from sources of data to independent researchers. It points to some of the areas that need further exploration and development.

reed j., weiner r. & cook g. (2004) International Journal of Older People Nursing in association with Journal of Clinical Nursing 13, 3a, 3–10 Partnership research with older people – moving towards making the rhetoric a reality As nursing develops closer partnerships with older people in delivering care, it also needs to develop partnerships in order to create the knowledge base for practice in a way that challenges professional hegemony and empowers older people. However, the process of developing partnerships in research takes place against a background of academic research traditions and norms, which can present obstacles to collaboration. This paper is a reflection on the issues that have arisen in three projects where older people were involved in research at different levels, from sources of data to independent researchers. It points to some of the areas that need further exploration and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Announces the publication of the first issue of the stand alone "International Journal of Older People's Nursing" in 2006. Idea behind the publication of the journal; Exploration of key themes of in gerontological nursing by the journal; Plans for the Practice Development section of the journal.

Introduces articles in the second issue 2004 of the periodical "International Journal of Older People Nursing,". Theme of empowerment in papers in the section one of the publication; Papers analyzing barriers to medical care.

Introduces the first issue of the "International Journal of Older People Nursing." Key principles of geriatric nursing; Consideration of older people as partners in the development of nursing knowledge; Focus of the May 2004 issue of "International Journal of Older People Nursing" on the issue of person-centered practice.

The article discusses various papers published in the issue, including one by Amanda Phelan on elder abuse in different cultures and times, another by Hazel Heath and Lynne Phair on the frailty and vulnerability of older people, and one that examines nursing practice and outcomes.

Focuses on the development of practice with respect to end-of-life issues in long-term care. Papers published in the 2006 issue of the "International Journal of Older People's Nursing"; Call for addressing the lack of definitive evidence to support the development of particular interventions in the area of geriatric nursing.

Focuses on key issues in gerontological nursing that have a direct impact on practice. Definition of practice development; Overview of the philosophy of personhood; Discussion of the concept of person-centered practice in the context of gerontological nursing.