Professor Kay de Vries

Job: Professor of Older People's Health

Faculty: Health and Life Sciences

School/department: School of Nursing and Midwifery

Address: De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester, LE1 9BH

T: +44 (0)116 207 8148

E: kay.devries@dmu.ac.uk

 

Personal profile

Kay de Vries is Professor of Older Peoples Health at De Montfort University, UK. Kay has a nursing background with a career ranging from Public Health Nursing in a remote part of New Zealand to specialising in palliative and old age care in the UK. She has a strong interest in virtue ethics, specifically humility and generosity.

Kay has held a number of research grants both on the UK and in New Zealand and her research expertise is predominantly in end of life, old age and dementia care; in acute, community and care home environments. Examples of recent research projects include; experiences of caregivers of people with dementia on acute hospital admissions and providing end of life care; assessing for risk of abuse, neglect and loss of dignity for people with dementia in care homes; she has been involved in the development of a number of training resources for healthcare providers of dementia care.

Kay is predominantly a qualitative researcher and has expertise in all qualitative research methodologies but is also experienced in using mixed methods approaches. She has developed and led a number of postgraduate research programmes and supervised a large number of MSc and PhD research students. She holds three research affiliate positions in the UK, USA and New Zealand.

Click here to view all of Kay's publications on DORA

Research group affiliations

INTERDEM (early detection and timely INTERvention in DEMentia)

Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) Midlands Network

East Midlands Research into Ageing Network (EMRAN)

CLAHRC East Midlands

Member British Society of Gerontology BSG, UK

Reviewer for research grants: Alzheimer’s Society Research Grants, UK; BUPA Foundation Grants, UK; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), UK

Member of the National Dementia Care Cooperative, New Zealand

Publications and outputs

Click here to view all of Kay's publications on DORA

Bernhardt, L., Baillon, S., Corr, S.M., de Vries, K. Developing a Clinical Academic Career Pathway in a Community and Mental Health NHS Trust. Nurse Researcher

Clayton, D., Clifton, A., de Vries, K., Henson, K., Ochieng, B. (2022). ‘My Story’: Using a life story approach to build friendships between younger and older people to alleviate loneliness and social isolation. Mental Health Review Journal

Madden, G., Harrison Dening, K., de Vries, K. (2022). A time for adaptation and reflection; the experience of Admiral Nurses during COVID-19. International Journal of Care and Caring

Al-Sheikh Hassan, M., De Vries, K., Rutty, J. (2022). Emergency trauma care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A phenomenological study of nurses’ experiences. International Emergency Nursing, https://doi:10.1016/j.ienj.2022.101147 Epub 2022 Jan 31.

Bavelaar, L., Nicula , M., Morris, S., Kaasalainen , S., Achterberg , W.P., Loucka , M., Vlckova , K., Thompsone , G., Cornally , N., Hartigan , I., Harding, A., Preston, N., Walshe , C., Cousins, E., Harrison Dening , K., De Vries , K., Brazil, K. & van der Steen, J.T. (2021) Developing country specific questions about end of life care for nursing home residents with advanced dementia using the nominal group technique with family caregivers. Patient Education and Counselling. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2021.07.031  

Cousins. E., de Vries, K; Harrison Dening, K; (2021). “Four walls and a garden”: Exploring the experiences of families affected by dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dementia, https://doi.org/10.1177/14713012211059021 

Oakley, S., Dunbar, H., de Vries, K. (2021). Parent-led strategies supporting personal well-being when caring for a child with a life-limiting condition: A scoping review. Journal of Child Health Care. https://doi.org/10.1177/13674935211026122

Aicken, C., Hodgson, L., de Vries, K., Wilkinson, I., Aldridge, Z., Galvin, K. (2021). ‘This Adds Another Perspective’: Qualitative Descriptive Study Evaluating Simulation-Based Training for Health Care Assistants, to Enhance the Quality of Care in Nursing Homes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(8), 3995; Open Access https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18083995

de Vries, K., Cousins,E., Harrison Dening, K. (2021). Palliative care in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: looking back, thinking ahead. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 0:1–6. https://doi:10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002799   

Stribling, J., Clifton, A., McGill, G., de Vries, K., (2020). Examining the UK Covid-19 mortality paradox: Pandemic preparedness, healthcare expenditure, and the nursing workforce. Journal of Advanced Nursing, https://DOI:10.1111/jan.14562

Cousins, E., Harrison Dening, K., de Vries, K. (2020). Ethical care during COVID-19 for UK care home residents with dementia. Nursing Ethics, 28(1), Published December 16, 2020 https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733020976194

Cousins, E., de Vries, K., Harrison Dening, K. (2020). LGBTQ+ people living with dementia: an under-served population. British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 16:5 1-10.

Goddard, D., de Vries, K., McIntosh, T., Theodosius, K. (2019). Prison Nurses’ Professional Identity. Journal of Forensic Nursing, http://DOI:10.1097/JFN.0000000000000239

de Vries, K., Drury-Ruddlesden, J., McGill, G. (2019). Investigation into attitudes towards older people with dementia in acute hospital using the Approaches to Dementia Questionnaire. Dementia, https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301219857577

Harrison Dening, K., Scates, C., McGill, G., De-Vries, K. (2019). A training needs analysis of admiral nurses to facilitate advance care planning in dementia Palliative Care: Research and Treatment, 12: 1-10. http://DOI:10.1177/1178224219850183

Harrison Dening, K., Castle, E., Scates, C., de Vries, K. (2019). Employing a user-centred design methodology to develop an Care Planning guide for people with dementia. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, Vol 12 https://doi.org/10.1177/1178224219850183  

Ratan, A., de Vries, K. (2019). “Just another day”: The lived experience of being a hundred years and over. Ageing & Society, 1–18. http://doi:10.1017/S0144686X19000072

de Vries, K. Banister, E. Harrison Dening, K. Ocheing, B. (2019). Advance Care Planning: religiosity, spirituality, cultural competency and literacy. Nursing Ethics, http://doi:10.1177/0969733019833130

Harrison Dening, K., Sampson, L., De Vries, K. (2019). Advance care planning in dementia: recommendations for healthcare professionals. BMJ Palliative Care: Research and Treatment, Open access. http://DOI:10.1177/2515841418826579

Clifton, A., De Vries, K., Juttla, K., Welyczko, N., Carroll, R., O’Keeffe, G. (2018). Evaluating a train-the-trainer educational intervention to raise standards of care, within the nursing home sector in the United Kingdom. Health Education and Care, Volume 3(3): 1-5. http://doi:0.15761/HEC.1000143ISSN:2398-8517

de Vries, K., Drury-Ruddlesden, J. (2018). Advance Care Planning for people with dementia: Ordinary everyday conversations. Dementia, http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1471301218764169   

Hales, C., Curran, N., de Vries, K. (2018). Morbidly obese patients’ experiences of mobility during hospitalisation and rehabilitation: A qualitative descriptive study. Nursing Praxis, 33(3), pp. 20-31. http://hdl.handle.net/2086/16853

Hales, C., de Vries, K., Coombs M. (2018). The challenges in caring for morbidly obese patients in Intensive Care: An focused ethnographic study. Australian Critical Care, 31: 37-40. http://doi:10.1016/j.aucc.2017.02.070  

Banerjee, S., Farina, N., Daley, S., Grosvenor, W., Hughes, L., Hebditch, M., Mackrell, S., Nilforooshan, R., Wyatt, C., de Vries, K., Haq, I., Wright, J. (2016). How do we enhance undergraduate healthcare education in dementia? A review of the role of innovative approaches and development of the Time for Dementia programme. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, http://doi:10.1002/gps.4602

Coombs, M., Parker, R., de Vries, K. (2016). Can qualitative research interviews have therapeutic benefit for participants in end of life and bereavement research? European Journal of Palliative Care, 23(5) 227-231.

Coombs, M., Parker, R., de Vries, K. (2016). Managing risk during care transitions when approaching end of life: a qualitative study of patients’ and health care professionals’ decision-making. Palliative Medicine, 31(7), 617-624. https://doi:10.1177/0269216316673476  

de Vries, K., Drury-Ruddlesden, J., Gaul, C. (2016). “And so I took up residence”: The experiences of family members of people with dementia during admission to an acute hospital unit. Dementia, https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301216656097

Parker, R., de Vries, K., Coombs, M. (2016). Redefining the carer-patient dyad at end of life. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 22(6):272-7. https://doi:10.12968/ijpn.2016.22.6.272

de Vries, K., Plaskota, M. (2017). Ethical dilemmas faced by hospice nurses when administering palliative sedation to patients with terminal cancer. Palliative & Supportive Care, 15, 148–157. https://doi:10.1017/S1478951516000419

Hales, C., de Vries, K., Coombs M. (2016). Managing social awkwardness when caring for extremely fat patients in intensive care: A focused ethnography. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 58: 82-89. https://doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2016.03.016

de Vries K., Walton, J., Nelson, K., Knox, R. (2015). An examination of the research priorities for a hospice service in New Zealand: A Delphi study. Palliative & Supportive Care, 1-9, https://doi:10.1017/S1478951515000838  

Coombs, MA., Tester, R., Donovan, S., Fullbrook, P., de Vries, K. (2015). Certainty and uncertainty about end of life care nursing practices in New Zealand Intensive Care Units: a mixed methods study. Australian Critical Care, 28, 82-86. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.aucc.2015.03.002  

de Vries, K., Leppa, C., Sandford, R., Vydelingun, V. (2014). Administering questionnaires to older people: Rigid adherence to protocol may deny and disacknowledge emotional expression. Journal of Aging Studies, 31:132-138. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2014.09.005  

Davidson, R., Banister, E., de Vries, K., (2013). Primary healthcare NZ nurses’ experiences of advance directives: Coming to understand their potential role. Nursing Praxis, 29(2) 26-33. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24187807

Brooker, D., La Fontaine, J., de Vries, K., Latham, I. (2013). The development of PIECE-dem: Focusing on the experience of care for people with living with advanced dementia. Clinical Psychology Forum, 250: 38-46.

de Vries, K. (2013). Communicating with older people with dementia. Nursing Older People, 25(4) 30-37. http://doi:10.7748/nop2013.05.25.4.30.e429

Green, A., de Vries, K., Hewitt, J. (2012). What are the issues for community pharmacists when patients use cannabis for therapeutic reasons in their home? The Pharmaceutical Journal, 289: 531-532.

de Vries, K., Brooker, D., Smith, P. (2012). Dementia skills and competencies for Primary Care Liaison: a model for improving identification and timely diagnosis. Primary Healthcare Research & Development, 14(3) 240-9. http://doi:10.1017/S1463423612000266

de Vries, K., Wells, J., Plaskota, M. (2012). Evaluation of an admission and discharge process for specialist palliative day hospice in the United Kingdom using case study methodology. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 18(6) 275-281. https://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2012.18.6.275

de Vries, K., Green, A. (2012). Therapeutic use of cannabis. Nursing Times, 108: 9, 12-15.

https://www.nursingtimes.net/clinical.../therapeutic-use-of-cannabis/5041821.article

Arber, A., Hutson, N., de Vries, K., Guerrero, D. (2012). Finding the right kind of support: A study of carers of those with a primary malignant brain tumour. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 17(1) 52-8. https://doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2012.01.008  

de Vries, K., Nowell, A. (2011). Dementia deaths in hospice: a retrospective case note audit. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 17(12) 581-585. https://doi:10.12968/ijpn.2011.17.12.581

Maher, K., de Vries, K. (2011). An exploration of the lived experiences of individuals with relapsed Multiple Myeloma. European Journal of Cancer Care, 20, 267-275. https://doi:10.1111/j.1365-2354.2010.01234.x  

de Vries, K., La Fontaine, J., Brooker, D. (2010). Review of Literature: Information and Education Needs of People with Dementia and Their Family Caregivers. Association for Dementia Studies, Institute of Health and Society University of Worcester, UK. (peer-reviewed research report)

de Vries, K., McChrystal, J. (2010). Using attachment theory to improve the care of people with dementia. International Journal of Work Organisation and Emotion, 3(3) 287-301. https://doi:10.1504/IJWOE.2010.032927

Green, A., de Vries, K. (2010). Cannabis use in palliative care. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 19: 2454–2462. https://doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2010.03274.x  

Kovan, L., de Vries, K. (2010). “Getting it right”: an ethnographic study on how palliative care nurses discuss death. International Journal of Work Organisation and Emotion, 3(3) 190-205. https://doi:10.1504/IJWOE.2010.032921

Arber, A., Faithfull, S., Plaskota, M., Lucas, C., de Vries, K. (2010). A study of patients with a primary malignant brain tumour and their carers: symptoms and access to services. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 6(1) 590-596. https://doi:10.12968/ijpn.2010.16.1.46180

Saltmarsh, K., de Vries, K. (2008). The paradoxical image of chemotherapy: a phenomenological description of nurses’ experiences of administering chemotherapy. European Journal of Cancer Care, 17(5) 500-508. https://doi:10.1111/j.1365-2354.2007.00909.x  

Sayers, K., de Vries, K. (2008). A concept development of ‘being sensitive’ in Nursing. Nursing Ethics, 15(3) 287-303. https://doi:10.1177/0969733007088355

 

Research interests/expertise

  • Old age
  • Dementia
  • Family caregivers of older people and people with dementia
  • Acute, community and care home environments
  • End of life/palliative care
  • Humility

Areas of teaching

Qualifications

  • 2006: PhD, (Health & Medical Sciences) University of Surrey, UK, Thesis Title: Caring for the person with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease within the hospice service.
  • 2000: MSc (Education) University of Surrey, UK
  • 1997: Postgraduate Certificate in Education of Adults (PGCEA), University of Surrey, UK
  • 1997: BSc (Hons) Nursing, Middlesex University, London, UK
  • 1991: Registered Nurse, NMC, UK: NMC Reg. No: 90L0020O 

Conference attendance

de Vries, K., Greaves, B., Brown, J. (2022). Scarred, scared and closeted: concealment and older Lesbian and Gay people. Qualitative Analysis Conference, St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. June 21-24.

de Vries, K. (2019). Advance Care Planning for people with dementia. 30th Alzheimer Europe Conference “Making valuable connections”. The Hague, Netherlands Oct 2019

 

de Vries, K., Ratin, A. (2018). The lived experience of being a hundred years old for ten New Zealanders. British Society of Gerontology 47th Annual Conference - Ageing in an Unequal World: Shaping Environments for the 21st Century. Manchester July 4-6.

de Vries, K., Kirkman, A. (2018). The Scattering of Ashes: Conflict over risk in the disposal of unbounded cremains of the deceased. 2018 Qualitative Analysis Conference, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. May 16-18.

Drury-Ruddlesden, J., de Vries, K. (2016). Computer gaming therapy. Alzheimers NZ Biennial Conference, Wellington, NZ, Nov (paper)

de Vries, K., Drury-Ruddlesden, J., Gaul, C. (2016). “And so I took up residence”: The experiences of family members of people with dementia during admission to an acute hospital unit. 45th Annual BSG Conference, Stirling, July (paper)

de Vries, K., Drury-Ruddlesden, J. (2014). Recognising, screening and diagnosis for dementia in acute hospital units: Challenges and pitfalls. Alzheimers NZ Biennial Conference, Rotorua, NZ, Nov (paper)

Drury-Ruddlesden, J., de Vries, K. (2014). Does computer gaming therapy contribute to improved quality of life and cognitive functioning for people with mild to moderate dementia? Results of a pilot study. Alzheimers NZ Biennial Conference, Rotorua, NZ. Nov (paper)

 

Coombs MA, de Vries K, Tester R, Donovan S, Fullbrook P. (2014). Areas of uncertainty and difference in attitudes about end of life nursing care practices: an international comparison. ESICM LIVES 2014, 27th Annual Congress, Barcelona, Spain, Sept (Poster)

de Vries,K., Nelson, K., Tait, P., Broadbent, H., Coombs, M., Naylor, W. (2014). How do nurses contribute to palliative care prescribing practices in the community? Palliative Care Nurses Australia (PCNA) Conference, Sydney, April (paper)

de Vries, K. (2013). Nurses singing while they work with people with dementia. Linking Cultures: NZSM Music Therapy Conference 2013, New Zealand School of Music, Wellington, NZ. Nov (Invited speaker)

de Vries, K., (2012). ‘Stranger’ in the environment: observing people with advanced dementia. Contemporary Ethnography Across the Disciplines, University of Waikato, NZ, Nov (paper)

Lally, E., Nelson, K., de Vries, K. (2012). A study of patient and practice nurse engagements. New Zealand Nurses Organisation Research Conference, Nelson, Nov (paper)

de Vries, K., Brooker, D., La Fontaine, J., Porter, T.(2012). Emotional responses to observation research in the field of dementia care: ethical and moral considerations. British Society of Gerontology (BSG) Conference 2012, Keele University, UK, July (paper)

de Vries, K., Vydelingum, V., Leppa, C., Sandford, R.(2012). Morale and Spirituality in care homes in the UK and NZ: Analysis of interviews collected using questionnaires. British Society of Gerontology (BSG) Conference 2012, Keele University, UK, July (paper)

Knox, R., de Vries, K. (2012). What research do we need? One robust and collaborative way to answer the question. 20th Hospice New Zealand Palliative Care Conference. Auckland, NZ, Nov (paper)

Bowden-Tucker, J., de Vries, K. (2012) End of life in the home: Supporting and sustaining family. 20th Hospice New Zealand Palliative Care Conference. Auckland, NZ, Nov (paper)

de Vries, K., Brooker, D., La Fontaine, J., Porter, T.(2012). Emotional responses to observation research in the field of dementia care: ethical and moral considerations. Alzheimers New Zealand Conference 2012, Future Faces of Dementia, Wellington, NZ, May (paper)

Ridley S., de Vries K. (2012). ‘Sidelined: the experience of family carers of people with dementia] in the Emergency Department’. Alzheimers New Zealand Conference, Future Faces of Dementia, Wellington, NZ, May (paper)

Lally, E., Nelson, K., de Vries, K. (2011). Patient and practice nurse engagements. Consumers Reforming Health Conference, Melbourne, July (paper)

de Vries, K. (2011). Advance Care Planning, UK perspective. Palliative Care Network Forum, Palmerston North, NZ. July. Invited Speaker

de Vries, K. (2011). Ethics at the end of life – ‘Starting the conversation’. Changing Minds 2011. Te Omanga Hospice, Lower Hutt, Wellington, NZ. July. Invited Speaker.

de Vries, K. (2011). Ethical Issues in Managing Care of People with Dementia within a Hospice Environment. Third Biennial Palliative Care Nurses New Zealand (PCNNZ) conference, “Building Capacity and Capability in Palliative Care Nursing in New Zealand”, Wellington, Nov (paper)

de Vries, K., Vydelingum, V., Leppa, C. (2010). An approach to data collection: combining questionnaire data collection with interview data collection. British Society of Gerontology(BSG) Conference, Brunel University, London, UK. July (paper)

de Vries, K. (2010). Master Class Working in partnership with academia to improve care. Achieving a good death: Best practice and innovations in the current climate. Dementia UK, & National Council for Palliative Care (NCPC), London. December. Invited Speaker

de Vries, K. (2010) Dementia as a terminal illness: challenges and dilemmas. Rhetoric or Reality? The challenges in responding to diversity and differences when delivering EOL care, 10th Annual Worcestershire Palliative Care Conference, Worcester. April. Invited Speaker

de Vries, K, Reith, M. (2009). ‘End-of-life care: developing practice in caring for the whole family unit’, Two day workshop. Annual Hospice Palliative Care International Workshop, Peace House Hospice, Tokyo, Japan. February. (Invited Speaker)

de Vries, K., (2009). Healing, caring and silence. 10th Anniversary International Conference Nursing Ethics (NCNE) Conference, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK. Sept (paper)

de Vries, K., Nowell, A. (2009). Development of a hospice based education programme for health care professionals focusing on end-of-life care for people with dementia. 19th Alzheimer Europe Conference, Brussels, Belgium. May (paper)

de Vries, K. (2009). Emergent fit, open systems theory and grounded theory in constructing substantive or formal theory. Symbolic Interaction and Ethnographic Research: 26th Annual Qualitative Analysis Conference, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. April (paper)

de Vries, K. (2009). Dealing with the unknown’: an explanatory theory of managing the care of the person with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease by the hospice service. Symbolic Interaction and Ethnographic Research: 26th Annual Qualitative Analysis Conference, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. April (paper)

de Vries, K. (2008). Emergent fit and grounded theory. 7th Qualitative Research Conference, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK. Sept (paper)

de Vries, K. (2008). Humility and helplessness in the realisation of limitations within hospice. Nursing Ethics and Health Care Policy – Bridging Local, National and International Perspectives: International Centre for Nursing Ethics Conference, Yale University School of Nursing, USA. July (paper)

de Vries, K., McChrystal, J. (2008). Applying attachment theory and research to care of people with dementia. International Emotions Conference, University of Surrey, June (paper)

de Vries, K. (2008). Ethical issues in managing end-stage dementia within a hospice environment. 18th Alzheimer Europe Conference, Oslo, Norway. May (paper)

Current research students

2018 – 2022, Victoria Hall, PhD, Full time, DMU Scholarship, Mental Health, Homelessness, Austerity and Welfare Reform in the midlands geographical area: Social Justice or Social Exclusion for this vulnerable population? School Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Grounded Theory. First Supervisor.

2018 – 2022, Mohammed Al-Sheikh Hassan, PhD, The Experiences and Challenges Faced By Trauma Care Nurses in Saudi Arabia. School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Phenomenology. Second Supervisor.

2019 – 2023, Sarah Oakley, PhD, Full time, DMU Scholarship, Examination of parental and organisational perspectives into how parents of children with complex medical conditions seek and access support for themselves. School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Grounded Theory. Second Supervisor.

2020 – 2023, Nusrat Nadir, PhD, Dementia Care in Intensive Care Units, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Mixed Methods. First Supervisor.

2017 – 2023, Julian Stribling, Pathways into Nursing. School Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Phenomenology, Primary Supervisor.

2016 – 2024, Donna Goddard, PhD, School of Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Examination of prison nursing. Historical Narrative Methodology. Second Supervisor.

2016 – 2024, Anna Chesters, Natural Justice and decision-making during fitness to practise hearings for student nurses in English Higher Education Institutions. School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Grounded Theory. First Supervisor.

2018 – 2024, Sam Clark, Lung volume reduction in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Mixed methods. First Supervisor.

2018 – 2024, Estafania Delerue, PhD, Investigation of role development for apprentice and associate nurses. School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Case Study. First Supervisor. On interuption 

2019 – 2024, Abena Addo, PhD, The Wounded Educator: Practising the art of heuristic research to inform holistic pedagogical practices in health professional education and research. School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Phenomenology. First Supervisor.

2020 – 2024, Vicky Okoye, PhD, The Experiences of Community Church Leaders and Volunteers Supporting People with Mental Health Problems. Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Case Study. First Supervisor.

2020 – 2025 Stuart Pinson, Women and their partners experiences of sexual activity and information provided post hysterectomy. School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Grounded Theory. First Supervisor. On interuption

2019 – 2025, Ally Ackbarally, PhD, Human Factors in decision-making in healthcare. School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Mixed Methods. Second Supervisor. 

COMPLETED PHD STUDENTS

2018 – 2022, Zena Aldridge, PhD, Full time, Primary care support for patients in care homes in relation to dementia. School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Case Study. First Supervisor. Funded by Dementia UK

2019 – 2022, Shona Green, PhD, Examination of factors that affect junior medical and nursing staff working within a crowded emergency department School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Ethnography. First Supervisor.

2015 – 2020, Rachael Carroll, PhD, What Factors Influence Creation of an Enriched Environment For and By Health Care Assistants in an Acute Care Environment? School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Ethnography, Second Supervisor.

2017 – 2020, Deepali Bij, PhD, Full time, Scholarship, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Steve Hewlett’s cancer journey. Case Study. First Supervisor.

2015 – 2020, Rachel Heathershaw, PhD, School of Health Sciences, University of Brighton. A critical exploration of role modelling as a leadership behaviour in nursing practice. Case Study. Second Supervisor.

2015 – 2020, Laura Gilbert, PhD, School of Health Sciences, University of Brighton. A study to explore the experiences of young people aged 16-21 years with Neuromuscular disorders of their experiences of transition from children's to adult services. Case Study. First Supervisor.

2013 – 2019, Isabelle Latham, PhD, Association for Dementia Studies, University of Worcester, UK, Learning to care: An ethnographic study of how care workers in care homes learn to care for people living with dementia. Ethnography. Second Supervisor.

2011 – 2018, Delia Baskerville, PhD, Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, School of Educational Psychology & Pedagogy, Underneath the skin of truancy in schools. Grounded Theory. Second supervisor.

2012 – 2018 Aria Graham, PhD, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, Tika tonu: Young Māori Mothers’ experiences of wellbeing in the 12 months following the birth of their first tamaiti (infant). Kaupapa Māori and Narrative biography. First Supervisor.

2011 – 2017, Chris Bowden, PhD, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, Losing a Close Friend to Suicide: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Lived Experiences of Young Men. Phenomenology. Co-Supervisor.

2011 – 2017, Helen Rook, PhD, Faculty of Humanities & Social sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, The values of acute care nurses in New Zealand. Case Study. First Supervisor

2013 – 2017, Jenny Drury-Ruddlesden, PhD, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, Full time Funded by Industry (Callaghan Innovations), Rehabilitation in advanced dementia through computer-assisted exergaming with ABLE-X: A collective case study. Case Study. First Supervisor.

2013 – 2016, Mi-kyung Kim, PhD, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, Full time VUW Scholarship Student, Examination of the health-seeking behaviours among Korean immigrants in New Zealand. Grounded Theory. First Supervisor.

2010 – 2015, Sarah Milosevic, Association for Dementia Studies, University of Worcester, UK, Exploring and improving access to direct payments by people with dementia living in rural communities. Grounded Theory. Supervisory team member.

2011 - 2014, Caroline Hales, PhD, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, Misfits: An ethnographic study of extremely fat patients in intensive care. Ethnography. First Supervisor.

2009 - 2014, Lisanne Eagle, PhD, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, UK, ‘Doing the right thing’: an exploration of the judgement and decision-making process when admitting patients to hospices. Ethnography. First Supervisor.

2011 - 2014, Elsa Lally, PhD, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, Symbiotic relationships in patients’ engagements with practice nurses. Biographical narrative interpretive method. Co-supervisor.

Externally funded research grants information

Evaluation for National Lottery Application by VISTA, Building Better Opportunities, Prof Jayne Brown (PI), Prof Kay de Vries, Feb 2019, 14 months, Full fund £2.4 million, Lottery Fund & European Union Social Fund; DMU Fund £250,000.

Scaling up the Family Carer Decision Support Intervention: A multisite implementation evaluation. Prof Kevin Brazil, Institution Queen's University Belfast (PI), Co-applicants Mr Kieran Hanna, Dr Gillian Carter, Mrs Jackie Samuell, Dr Karen Harrison Dening, Ms Catherine Henderson, Dr Josie Dixon, Dr Nancy Preston, Prof Christine Brown Wilson, Prof Kay De Vries, Feb 2018-2021, £332, 680.35 Alzheimer's Society Implementation Grant 2017-2018, DMU funding £59,068.95

Co- designing person centred frailty interventions in partnership with older people and health professionals: What is frailty from the perspective of community dwelling older adults and how can frail older people be better supported? Prof Kate Galvin (PI) University of Brighton, Prof Kay de Vries De Montfort University, Prof Fiona Cowdell, Birmingham City University. Feb 2019-July 2023, £99,900 Burdett Trust

An investigation of use of simulated training to enhance clinical leadership skills within the residential care sector. The project offer a transferable approach to strengthen clinical leadership to ensure nurses and care assistants are able to lead care. Prof Kate Galvin (PI) University of Brighton, Prof Kay de Vries De Montfort University, Dr Iain Wilkinson (Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer – BSMS, Consultant Orthogeriatrician) Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Oct 2018 - 2020, £49,431 Burdette Trust.

Review of the New Zealand literature on dementias and related conditions. Aim to review the existing bio-psychosocial, Literature on dementias and related conditions in New Zealand. Dr Podugu Prasadarao (PI) Waikato; Dr Kay de Vries; Dr Gary Cheung Auckland, Oct 2014 - 2015, $5,000 Alzheimers NZ Charitable Trust.

Cognitive Stimulation using computer technology for people with mild to moderate dementia (3 years PhD Scholarship). Dr Kay de Vries (PI); Jenny Drury-Ruddlesden (PhD Student); Dr Kathy Nelson, August 2013 - Jan 2017, $100,000 Callaghan Innovation/Im-Able Limited (PhD Fellowship)

Delphi Study: Research priorities for Te Omanga Hospice. Dr Kay de Vries (PI); Prof Jo Walton; Rhondda Knox; Dr Kathy Nelson, April 2013 (6 months) $2,000, Te Omanga Hospice, Lower Hutt, NZ

Exploration of family/whānau/caregivers of people with dementia about their experiences of end of life care. Dr Kay de Vries (PI); Jenny Drury-Ruddlesden. June 2012 – June 2014, $8,300 Alzheimers NZ Charitable Trust.

Evaluation of the end of life care experiences of people with dementia and their caregivers. Dr Kate Read (PI); Dr Kay de Vries; Karen Harrison-Dening; Jennifer Bray, March 2011-2013, £34,000 (£24,000 – Dementia UK, £10,000 – West Midlands Strategic Health Authority (WMSHA), UK).

Scoping of education for end of life care and dementia. Dr Kay de Vries (PI); Jennifer Bray, July 2010 – April 2011 (9 months)  £20,000 West Midlands Strategic Health Authority, UK. 

Training and development resource (DVD) for healthcare staff working with people with dementia. Prof Dawn Brooker, Dr Kay de Vries and Association for Dementia Studies Team, Jan 2010 – June 2011 (18 months), £100,000, Workforce Deanery Herefordshire and Worcestershire, UK. 

Explore the support and education needs of people with dementia and carers within the Coventry and Warwickshire area in collaboration with Coventry University, Dr Kay de Vries (PI); Jenny La Fontaine; Prof Dawn Brooker, Feb-May 2010 (4 months) £59,719 NHS Coventry, UK. 

Developing a tool for assessing for risk of abuse, neglect and loss of dignity for people with dementia in care homes. Prof Dawn Brooker (PI); Jenny La Fontaine; Dr Kay de Vries; Tom Porter; Dr Claire Surr, Jan 2010-April 2011 (16 months) £65,000 Department of Health (Comic Relief) PANICOA UK. 

Development of role, competences and proposed training for; “Primary Care Liaison Worker” to support pathway to diagnosis of dementia. Dr Kay de Vries (PI); Prof Dawn Brooker; Tom Porter, Sept 2009 – March 2010 (6 months), £10,800, Workforce Development for Dementia, Strategic Health Authority, West Midlands, UK. 

Study of carers of patients with a malignant brain tumour. Dr Anne Arber (PI); Prof Sara Faithfull; Dr Caroline Lucas; Dr Kay de Vries; Marek Plaskota, 2007-2009 (24 months) £28,000, Surrey, Sussex Palliative Care Network, UK. 

Development and evaluation of ‘best practice guide’/’pathway’ and education programme for caring for people with dementia at the end of life within the hospice. Dr Kay de Vries (PI); Allyson Nowell, 2008-2009 (18 months) £50,000, Barclay Capital Fund UK.

Internally funded research project information

 

An exploration of the health issues and challenges experienced by older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans or transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people. Prof Kay de Vries (PI); Bernard Greaves, Prof Jayne Brown; Jan 2018-Oct 2022, DMU internal £4,800. 

Life-Story work with older people in the community. Ass Prof Andrew Clifton (PI), Prof Kay de Vries, Prof Bertha Ochieng, Dr David Clayton. June 2018, 24 months. DMU Local £4,000 + £4,000 LHS Faculty fund.

Transition across services for older people. Prof Maureen Coombs (PI) Victoria University of Wellington; Dr Kay de Vries, University of Brighton, UK; Roslyn Parker (RA) Victoria University of Wellington. Feb 2015 – Nov 2015. $33,000, Victoria University of Wellington, NZ.

 

The Emergency Department clinicians' perspectives of managing people with chronic pain. Dr Kathy Nelson (PI); Dr Kay de Vries; Dr Paul Hardy (Pain Physician Consultant); Dagmar Hempel; Aseni Ratnayake (nurses). Dec 2012 - Dec 2014. $4,997 Victoria University of Wellington, NZ. 

Intensive care nurses experiences of, and attitudes towards, end of life care: a New Zealand perspective. Prof Maureen Coombs (PI); Dr Kay de Vries; Prof Paul Fulbrook, June 2013 - June 2014. $4,996, Victoria University of Wellington, NZ. 

Quality of life study of residents in nursing homes. Dr Kay de Vries (PI); Rosemarie Sandford (Masters student). Jan 2013 - 2014 (extended from UK & US studies) $3,880 Victoria University of Wellington, NZ. 

Examination of the experiences of older people with dementia and their professional and family caregivers during admission to an acute hospital unit. Dr Kay de Vries (PI); Jenny Drury-Ruddlesden. March 2012 – Jan 2015. $39,714 Victoria University of Wellington, NZ.

Professional esteem indicators

Journal reviewer for: Nursing Ethics; Ageing & Society; Qualitative Health Research; International Journal of Nursing Studies; Palliative Medicine; Journal of Palliative Medicine; Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care; International Journal of Palliative Nursing; Nursing Older People; BMJ; Quality of Life Research; Age & Ageing; BMC Health Services Research; Nursing Inquiry; Journal of Advanced Nursing; Dementia

Teaching resource, DVD and associated workbook nominated for National Award http://www.worcester.ac.uk/discover/9981.html  

PIECE-dem tool that being used both nationally and internationally for assessment of practice and in research in care environments for people with dementia.

 http://www.panicoa.org.uk/panicoa-studies/how-can-i-tell-you-whats-going-on-here   

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