Associate Professor Theresa Mitchell

dr-theresa-mitchell

Associate Professor of Patient Experience

Professors

Contact Details

email: t.mitchell@worc.ac.uk
tel: 01905 542772

Dr Theresa Mitchell was a nurse for fifteen years and has been a nurse educationalist and researcher for 26 years. Her role as Associate Professor of Nursing at the University of Worcester is focused upon research activity and development in the Three Counties School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Theresa is an established qualitative researcher with particular interest in understanding patients experience of living with illness and disease, and their interface with healthcare services. She has 14 doctoral completions, is currently supervising 9 doctoral candidates, and has experience of external PhD examining. She has extensive knowledge of qualitative research design and methodology using Interpretive Phenomenology, Grounded Theory, Ethnography and Case Study.

Theresa is keen to promote and support the development of clinical research careers for student nurses through partnerships between clinical practice and the university.

Academic Qualifications
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Bristol (2000)
B.Ed. (Hons), University of the Southbank (1991)  
Diploma in Nursing, London University(1987)

Professional Qualifications
Higher Education Academy Senior Fellow
Registered Nurse Tutor, University of the Southbank, (1991)
Registered Midwife, Wiltshire Health Authority (1983)
Registered General Nurse, Buckinghamshire Health Authority (1981)
Orthopaedic Nursing Certificate, Oxfordshire Health Authority (1978)

Teaching & Research

Teaching Interests

Appreciating Evidence for Practice.
Evidence Based Practice in Nursing.
Undergraduate Dissertation supervision.
Dissertation supervision for students undertaking MSc. Advanced Practice, Specialist Practice and MPhil studies.
Doctoral candidate Director of Studies and Supervisor.
Doctoral and MPhil Research Student Training; Preparing for the progression exam, Preparing applications for ethics approval, Preparing for the final viva, Defending the thesis, Qualitative research interviewing, Qualitative data analysis, Writing bids.
Workshops and action learning sets for Writing for Publication for colleagues in HE and in clinical practice.

Current Research

  • The experiences and perceptions of people with learning disabilities living in supported accommodation. (Sanctuary Supported Living).
  • A feasibility study into the effectiveness of 9 mobile chemotherapy units compared with standard chemotherapy clinic provision. (In collaboration with University of Bristol)
  • Chemobrain A feasibility Study to identify the impact of effects of chemotherapy on concentration and memory on people who have received chemotherapy, and their carers. (In collaboration with University of Warwick).

Examples of previous research conducted or supervised in clinical practice;

2013 – Both Sides of the Couch – perspectives of healthcare professionals returning to work in cancer care after receiving treatment for cancer themselves. 

2012 – The experiences of bereaved families/significant others of patients who received private oncology care and treatment. 

2011 – The experience of patients undergoing blood transfusion in a day hospice. 

2011 – An investigation of nurses’ opinions about single nurse controlled drug CD administration in a palliative care inpatient unit. 

2011 – The experiences of people with ascites receiving palliative care. 

2011 – A focus group study into the perspectives of medical undergraduates of theatre based learning. 

2010 – The effects of using attention training games upon the cognitive ability of women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy - A pilot study. 

2010 – A pilot randomised controlled trial of switching to subcutaneous furosemide or remaining on oral diuretics for community patients with worsening symptomatic advanced heart failure with fluid overload. 

2010 – An evaluation of the Gloucestershire Mobile Chemotherapy Unit. 

2010 – Concentration and memory effects in people receiving chemotherapy – An exploration of the patient experience. 

2008 – Delayed transfer of older people from hospital to the community. 

2007 – Teenage mothers’ experiences of pregnancy and maternity services in Gloucester. 

2007 – The psychosocial effects of chemotherapy toxicity – patients’ perspectives. 

2007 – An exploration of preferred and actual place of death.

Doctoral Supervision

14 completions Currently supervising 9 Independent Chair – 24

Research Consultancy

Healthwatch West Midlands 2016
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 2000 – 2010 
Gloucestershire Oncology Centre 2000 – 2010 
Gloucestershire R&DSU 2010 – 2014 
(NIHR) South West Research Design Service 2011 – 2013 
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 2013 – 2014

Professional Bodies

Professional Bodies

Member Scholar Qualitative Health Research, University of Alberta.
National Cancer Survivorship Initiative.
Bristol Health Partners – Cancer Health Integration Team (2014).
Wiltshire NHS Research Ethics Committee 2008–2010 (Qualitative Research ‘Expert’).
Gloucestershire NHS Research Ethics Committee 1994-96 and 2001-2008 (Qualitative Research ‘Expert’).

Publications

For an updated list of publications visit my Worcester Research and Publications page.

External Responsibilities

External Responsibilities

Reviewer for Journals 
Patient Experience Journal. 
Journal of Advanced Nursing. 
Nursing Philosophy. 
Qualitative Health Research.

Reviewer for Grant Applications 
BMC Medical Education. 
The Brain Tumour Charity. 
The Health Research Board, Ireland. 
The Prostate Cancer Charity. 
National Institute of Health Research (NIHR).