Dr Karen Stenner
Lecturer (Health Services Research)
Qualifications: PhD, BSc (Hons) Psychology
Email: k.stenner@surrey.ac.uk
Phone: Work: 01483 68 3242
Room no: DK 04
Office hours
Monday to Friday, 9.00 - 5.30 by appointment onlyFurther information
Biography
I have worked as a research assistant and research fellow on a range of projects in the areas of health and social care. These have included: exploring the sexual behaviour of young people (University of Southampton, 1989-1991), a Department of Health funded evaluating of health authority planning for HIV prevention (Wessex Institute of Public Health Medicine, 1993-95), evaluations of NHS protected learning time educational events and evaluations of criminal justice intervention programmes (University of Reading, 2002-06), and more recently, evaluations of nurse prescribing (University of Reading and University of Surrey, 2006-2012). My teaching experience includes undergraduate teaching on social values, social policy and research methods, as well as providing educational and development support to NHS staff.
I was awarded a PhD by publication by the University of Surrey in 2011 entitled: ‘An evaluation of stakeholder views on the impact and development of nurse prescribing in England’
Research Interests
My current research interest is in the development and use of prescribing roles by health professionals such as nurses and pharmacists. I have worked alongside Prof. Molly Courtenay and Dr Nicola Carey on a number of grant funded projects to explore and evaluate nurse prescribing in the areas of pain, diabetes, dermatology and respiratory illness. I have a particular interest in the organisational, individual and interpersonal aspects that facilitate or impede these prescribing roles and the development of advanced nursing roles in general.
Publications
Highlights
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(2011) 'Nurse prescribing for inpatient pain in the United Kingdom: A national questionnaire survey.'. Elsevier International Journal of Nursing Studies, 48 (7), pp. 847-855.Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/7383/
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nurses make a valuable contribution to pain services and have the potential to improve the safety and effectiveness of pain management. A recent addition to the role of the specialist pain nurse in the United Kingdom has been the introduction of prescribing rights, however there is a lack of literature about their role in prescribing pain medication. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a profile of the experience, role and prescribing practice of these nurses. DESIGN: A descriptive questionnaire survey. SETTING: 192 National Health Service public hospital inpatient pain services across the United Kingdom. PARTICIPANTS: 161 qualified nurse prescribers were invited to participate, representing 98% of known nurse prescribers contributing to inpatient pain services. The survey was completed in November 2009 by 137 nurses; a response rate of 85%. RESULTS: Compared with nurse prescribers in the United Kingdom in general, participants were highly qualified and experienced pain specialists. Fifty-six percent had qualified as a prescriber in the past 3 years and 22% reported that plans were underway for more nurses to undertake a nurse prescribing qualification. Although all participants worked in inpatient pain services, 35% also covered chronic pain (outpatient) services and 90% treated more than one pain type. A range of pain medications were prescribed, averaging 19.5 items per week. The role contained a strong educational component and contributed to informing organisational policy on pain management. Prescribing was said to improve nurses' ability to promote evidence-based practice but benefits were limited by legislation on prescribing controlled drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrate that pain nurses are increasingly adopting prescribing as part of their advanced nurse role. This has implications for the development needs of pain nurses in the United Kingdom and the future role development of nurses in other countries.
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(2011) 'Consultations between nurse prescribers and patients with diabetes in primary care: A qualitative study of patient views'. PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING STUDIES, 48 (1), pp. 37-46.Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/7381/
- . (2010) 'Implementing nurse prescribing: a case study in diabetes'. WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, 66 (3), pp. 522-531.
- . (2008) 'The role of inter-professional relationships and support for nurse prescribing in acute and chronic pain'. WILEY-BLACKWELL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, 63 (3), pp. 276-283.
- . (2008) 'Benefits of nurse prescribing for patients in pain: nurses' views'. WILEY-BLACKWELL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, 63 (1), pp. 27-35.
Journal articles
- . (2012) 'Prescribing for pain - how do nurses contribute? A national questionnaire survey.'. J Clin Nurs,
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(2012) 'An overiew of non medical prescribing across one strategic health authority: a questionnaire survey.'. BMC Health Serv Res, England: 12Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/712190/
Abstract
Over 50,000 non-medical healthcare professionals across the United Kingdom now have prescribing capabilities. However, there is no evidence available with regards to the extent to which non-medical prescribing (NMP) has been implemented within organisations across a strategic health authority (SHA). The aim of the study was to provide an overview of NMP across one SHA.
- . (2011) 'Does non-medical prescribing make a difference to patients?'. Nurs Times, England: 107 (26), pp. 14-16.
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(2011) 'Nurse prescribing for inpatient pain in the United Kingdom: A national questionnaire survey.'. Elsevier International Journal of Nursing Studies, 48 (7), pp. 847-855.Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/7383/
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nurses make a valuable contribution to pain services and have the potential to improve the safety and effectiveness of pain management. A recent addition to the role of the specialist pain nurse in the United Kingdom has been the introduction of prescribing rights, however there is a lack of literature about their role in prescribing pain medication. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a profile of the experience, role and prescribing practice of these nurses. DESIGN: A descriptive questionnaire survey. SETTING: 192 National Health Service public hospital inpatient pain services across the United Kingdom. PARTICIPANTS: 161 qualified nurse prescribers were invited to participate, representing 98% of known nurse prescribers contributing to inpatient pain services. The survey was completed in November 2009 by 137 nurses; a response rate of 85%. RESULTS: Compared with nurse prescribers in the United Kingdom in general, participants were highly qualified and experienced pain specialists. Fifty-six percent had qualified as a prescriber in the past 3 years and 22% reported that plans were underway for more nurses to undertake a nurse prescribing qualification. Although all participants worked in inpatient pain services, 35% also covered chronic pain (outpatient) services and 90% treated more than one pain type. A range of pain medications were prescribed, averaging 19.5 items per week. The role contained a strong educational component and contributed to informing organisational policy on pain management. Prescribing was said to improve nurses' ability to promote evidence-based practice but benefits were limited by legislation on prescribing controlled drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrate that pain nurses are increasingly adopting prescribing as part of their advanced nurse role. This has implications for the development needs of pain nurses in the United Kingdom and the future role development of nurses in other countries.
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(2011) 'Non medical prescribing leads views on their role and the implementation of non medical prescribing from a multi-organisational perspective.'. BMC BMC Health Serv Res, England: 11Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/7382/
Abstract
In the United Kingdom, non-medical prescribing (NMP) has been identified as one way to improve healthcare quality and efficiency. Healthcare organisations are charged with overseeing the clinical governance of NMP and guidance recommends the identification of a lead director to be responsible for its implementation. While over twelve million items are prescribed each year by the 50,000 qualified NMPs its uptake is inconsistent. Several studies have explored the barriers to NMP at a practice level, however little is known about the role the NMP lead and the implementation of NMP from an organisational perspective. The aim of this research was to explore the role of the organisational NMP lead across a range of practice settings within one Strategic Health Authority (SHA) and consider the development of NMP from a multi-organisational perspective.
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(2011) 'Consultations between nurse prescribers and patients with diabetes in primary care: A qualitative study of patient views'. PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING STUDIES, 48 (1), pp. 37-46.Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/7381/
- . (2010) 'Patients' views of nurse prescribing: effects on care, concordance and medicine taking'. WILEY-BLACKWELL BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, 164 (2), pp. 396-401.
- . (2010) 'The views of patients with diabetes about nurse prescribing'. WILEY-BLACKWELL DIABETIC MEDICINE, 27 (9), pp. 1049-1054.
- . (2010) 'Implementing nurse prescribing: a case study in diabetes'. WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, 66 (3), pp. 522-531.
- . (2010) 'How nurse prescribing is being used in diabetes services: views of nurses and team members'. Wiley-Blackwell Journal of Nursing and Healthcare of Chronic Illness, UK: 2 (1), pp. 13-21.
- . (2010) 'Stakeholder views on the impact of nurse prescribing on dermatology services'. WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, 19 (3-4), pp. 498-506.
- . (2010) 'How nurse prescribing influences the nursing role'. Nurse Prescribing, 8 (1), pp. 29-34.
- . (2009) 'An exploration of the practices of nurse prescribers who care for people with diabetes: a case study'. Journal of Nursing and Healthcare of Chronic Illness, 1 (4), pp. 311-320.
- . (2009) 'Adopting the prescribing role in practice: exploring nurses' views in a specialist children's hospital.'. Paediatr Nurs, England: 21 (9), pp. 25-29.
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(2009) 'Prescription writing for diabetes: compliance with good practice'. Mark Allen Group Nurse Prescribing, 7 (10), pp. 464-468.Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/37232/
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the prescriptions issued to patients with diabetes by nurse independent and nurse supplementary prescribers working in general practice. A total of 19 prescriptions were collected and assessed from four case-study sites based in general practice between October 2007 and September 2008. Prescriptions were collected from patients with diabetes whose consultations were video recorded for the purposes of research. Prescriptions were consistently issued on an appropriate computer-generated prescription form, written legibly in ink, used the correct terminology, generic prescribing and contained an accurate/appropriate product dose and preparation. They were less consistent in stating the number of days, quantity of medicine to be supplied, and providing clear and accurate instructions on frequency and timing of treatment. Nurses in general practice are using computer based repeat prescribing systems to issue prescriptions to patients for the management of diabetes and its common complications, such as hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and cardiovascular disease. Whilst nurse prescribers were generally compliant with good practice in prescription writing, they need to ensure that they include ongoing information with respect to the number of days of treatment, quantity of medicine to be supplied, and clear and accurate instructions regarding the frequency and timing of medicines.
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(2009) 'Nurses’ and doctors’ views about the prescribing programme'. Mark Allen Group Nurse Prescribing, 7 (9), pp. 412-417.Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/37218/
Abstract
This article aims to explore the views of doctors and nurses, who care for people with diabetes, about the prescribing programme. Interviews with 10 nurse prescribers, nine doctors and three non-nurse prescribers were conducted in nine case study sites across England between October 2007 and September 2008. Prescribing was seen as a natural extension of advanced nursing roles adopted by nurses caring for people with diabetes. Nurses considered it important to obtain sound knowledge in areas in which they intended to prescribe before undertaking the course. Variation across prescribing programmes with regards to the level of work required of students and the way in which courses were run were reported. Most doctors thought it beneficial for nurses to be involved in mentorship, although doctors' continued involvement was considered necessary. Prescribing supports advanced nursing practice in the care of people with diabetes. Nurses considering undertaking the prescribing course need to be aware of the variations across prescribing programmes with regards to the level of work required. There is support for joint mentorship between nurse prescribers and doctors for students undertaking taking the prescribing course.
- . (2009) 'Nurse prescriber-patient consultations: a case study in dermatology'. WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, 65 (6), pp. 1207-1217.
- . (2009) 'Views on implementing nurse prescribing in a specialist children's hospital'. Nurse Prescribing, 7 (5), pp. 205-2010.
- . (2009) 'Nurse prescribing in dermatology: doctors' and non-prescribing nurses' views'. WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, 65 (4), pp. 851-859.
- . (2009) 'Dermatology patients' views on nurse prescribing'. Dermatological Nursing, 8 (2), pp. 38-44.
- . (2009) 'Nurse prescribing in dermatology'. Dermatology Nursing, 8 (1), pp. 24-30.
- . (2008) 'The role of inter-professional relationships and support for nurse prescribing in acute and chronic pain'. WILEY-BLACKWELL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, 63 (3), pp. 276-283.
- . (2008) 'Benefits of nurse prescribing for patients in pain: nurses' views'. WILEY-BLACKWELL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, 63 (1), pp. 27-35.
- . (2007) 'A case-study of substitute opiate prescribing for drug-using offenders'. TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD DRUGS-EDUCATION PREVENTION AND POLICY, 14 (5), pp. 443-456.
- . (2007) 'A qualitative study on the impact of legislation on the prescribing of controlled drugs by nurses'. Nurse Prescribing, 5 (6), pp. 257-262.
- . (2006) 'Evaluating the impact on practice of a west of Berkshire protected learning time initiative in primary care'. Education for Primary Care, 17 (4), pp. 371-378.
Teaching
Module leader: Introduction to Doctoral Studies – Doctorate in Clinical Practice programme
Coordinator of Post Graduate Research Seminars
Undergraduate and post graduate teaching on research methods and developing research proposals
Departmental Duties
Supervision of post graduate research students
Member of the Nursing and Healthcare Research theme
