1. careers
2. nursing

TRENDS Seminar
(Topics in Research and Education for Nursing Development in Singapore)
Date:
Venue:
Time:
Friday, 10th April 2015
Level 2, ALCNS Conference Room
Block MD 11, Clinical Research Centre
National University of Singapore
You are invited!
2.30pm to 4.30pm
First Topic:
Perceptions of empowerment and medication adherence among rheumatoid arthritis
patients and their healthcare providers: a descriptive qualitative study
Abstract: In chronic disease management, about 50% of the patients do not adhere to medication regimen and
treatment plan, resulting in poor health outcomes and increased healthcare cost. Studies have shown patients
living with chronic diseases who are empowered have better control of their long term condition.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic condition which causes patients to experience progressive pain, fatigue, loss
of bodily function and involve multiple organ systems. Adherence to their medications is crucial to keep their
inflammatory condition under control. Patients who are well informed and have good knowledge about their
medication are most likely to have safer and better management of their medication. Studies conducted locally
among rheumatoid arthritis patients have indicated the need for further research to study the factors influencing
their medication adherence and to develop interventions to promote their adherence to enhance their quality of
life. There is currently limited research looking into patient empowerment and its influence on medication
adherence among RA patients locally.
The aim of this study is to explore the perception of empowerment and medication adherence among rheumatoid
arthritis patients and their healthcare providers in Singapore. A descriptive qualitative study using a purposive
sampling of adult patients and health care providers (HCPs) will be recruited from the Rheumatology Clinic at the
National University Hospital (NUH). The final sample size will be determined by both patients and HCPs data
saturation. Data collected from the interviews will be analysed using thematic analysis.
This study will contribute to a better understanding of rheumatoid arthritis patients’ and their HCPs’ perception of
patient empowerment. The findings from this study will provide directions for future patient empowerment
intervention programme for rheumatoid arthritis patients to improve their adherence to medication and quality of
life.
Speaker: Ms Siriwan Lim is a Senior Lecturer at Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies
(ALCNS), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS).
She has more than a decade of nursing experiences working in the acute hospitals.
As a Critical Care Nurse and Clinical Instructor, she has been invited as a speaker and
trainer for regional conference/workshop, conducted in-house intensive care training
for nurses, and trained nursing students, new graduands and foreign nurses
respectively. As an Infection Control Practitioner, she made recommendations to
prevent/minimise hospital acquired infections, improve infection control practices
and initiated the formation of wound care committee to enhance the management
and quality of wound care.
Ms Lim also has a decade of teaching experience at all levels of nursing education
including the advance diploma level. She had received awards for productivity and
innovation, and teaching excellence. As an educator, she has tapped on technology to introduce web based
programme to augment the learning experience of the students. She was the coordinator/trainer for Nurse
Educators and Leaders (Philippines) training programme funded by the Temasek Foundation.
Ms Lim is interested in patient safety issues and is a trainer for Patient Safety Workshop for Interprofessional
Education (IPE) in Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. She is passionate in advocating nursing profession as a
fulfilling career choice and has worked closely with the faculty and student leaders to publicise and promote our
undergraduate nursing degree among school leavers.
She has participated and presented at local, regional and international workshops, seminars and conferences.
Her research areas of interest are Patient Safety, Chronic diseases and Patient Empowerment, Clinical Practice,
Nursing Innovation in Education and Interprofessional Education. She is engaged in supervising Honours students
in their research projects. Ms Lim received her Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) with distinction, and Master of
Health Science (Education) from University of Sydney, graduated with the Outstanding Achievement Award in
Health Science Education. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) studies with the ALCNS,
NUS.
Organized by the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, NUS
Second Topic: Impacts of caregiving on family caregivers of elderly lung cancer patients
Abstract: Lung cancer is a disease of the elderly, most frequently diagnosed among people aged 65 and
above. Nowadays, family members are increasingly involved in providing care and assistance to cancer
patients during cancer diagnostic and active treatment phases. Caring for an older adult with lung
cancer can be a complex and stressful task which may cause multidimensional negative consequences
to family caregivers and subsequently pull down their quality of life.
There is a paucity of research exploring the consequences of providing care to elderly cancer patients
on primary family caregivers. The purpose of this study is to explore the impacts of caregiving
(including their needs and burden) on primary family caregivers of elderly lung cancer patients, and
examine the factors associated with caregiver burden.
An exploratory sequential mixed methods design will be used for the study. Phase I will be a descriptive
exploratory qualitative study with the aims to understand the impacts of caregiving on primary
caregivers and identify the potential factors affecting the caregiving impacts from local primary
caregivers’ perspective. Phase II will be a quantitative study in an attempt to measure caregiving
outcomes including unmet needs and caregiver burden, and evaluate the association between identified
potential factors and caregiver burden.
The research plan for Phase I study will be shared in this seminar.
Speaker: Ms Ge Lixia is currently in her first year of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
studies with the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies (ALCNS), National
University of Singapore (NUS). She has obtained her Bachelor’s degree in
Medicine (Nursing) and Master’s degree in National Science.
Ms Ge has also worked as a Research Assistant in Oncology Research at the
ALCNS for more than 3 years.
Third Topic: Perceptions of men living with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) in Singapore.
Abstract: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a chronic condition that affects ageing men worldwide
regardless of culture & ethnic origin. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) such as nocturia, urinary
frequency, urinary urgency, hesitancy are common in men with BPH. Many of these men present with
bothersome LUTS that decreases quality of life often due to interrupted sleep and activities of daily
living.
The aim of this study is to understand the perceptions of men living with BPH in Singapore. A
descriptive qualitative approach using individual face to face interviews will be adopted. A purposive
sampling based on the severity of LUTS assessed by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)
will be recruited from the Urology Department of National University Hospital. Thematic analysis will
be used to analyse the data.
There is a paucity of information available on the perceptions of men living with BPH in Singapore.
Findings from this study will serve as a platform to develop effective interventions, possibly a homebased self-help psycho-education program with the primary aim to improve their quality of life and
psychological well-being.
Speaker: Ms Toh Poh Choo is a Urology Nurse Clinician at Urology Centre,
National University Hospital. She attained her Bachelor of Health Science
(Nursing) in 1998, and Advance Diploma in Nephrology-Urology in 2012
Ms Toh is currently pursuing her Masters in Science (Research) with the Alice
Lee Centre for Nursing Studies (ALCNS), National University of Singapore (NUS).
She has many years of experience in Urology & General Surgery both in private
and restructured hospitals.
Organized by the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, NUS
Fourth Topic: A Longitudinal Interprofessional Community Programme for Nursing
Students
Abstract: Changes in the delivery of healthcare such as an ageing population and prolonged life
expectancy, earlier discharges from hospitals, resulted in greater number of clients in the
community needing continual care. A paradigm shift is imperative to ensure the future healthcare
professionals are prepared and equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the
emergent healthcare needs.
In the complex and dynamic community setting, the healthcare professionals are required to work
collaboratively to improve and manage care in a multidisciplinary team. Therefore innovative
practice placement approaches beyond the traditional acute care settings could broaden the scope
of learning opportunities for students, and enhance transition from a student to a collaborative
practitioner in providing person-centre care.
This study aims to develop and evaluate the Longitudinal InterProfessional Education Community
(LIPEC) programme for the undergraduate nursing students. Mixed method involving phase 1
quasi-experimental design and phase 2 qualitative focus groups with 6 to 10 participants per group
will be carried out to explore the study aim.
Descriptive and inferential statistics will be used for quantitative data analysis and content analysis
will be employed for qualitative findings.
Speaker: Ms Lau Siew Tiang, Lydia, is currently is a Senior Lecturer at
the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies (ALCNS); Yong Loo Lin Medical
School, National University of Singapore (NUS). She specializes in
paediatrics and neonatal nursing post registration. She obtained her
Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) from the University of Sydney, and
completed her Master of Education (Nursing) with a scholarship
awarded by University of Sydney.
Ms Lau has an extensive career in nursing education, both in academic
and clinical settings. She is passionate about nurturing the future nurses
and her area of interest is in clinical education, looking at optimizing the
clinical learning experience for the nursing students, and the development and utilizing the health
care knowledge.
Currently, Ms Lau is pursuing her part-time Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) studies at ALCNS, NUS.
Organized by the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, NUS