Sigma Europe region has implemented since 2017 a research committee  looking into initially Migrant healthcare experiences and later Nurse migrant healthcare experiences. This has proven to be a very vibrant, hard-working committee with a lot of outside interest. In 2023 the committee has decided to  look at the topic of Doctoral thesis research in Europe between 2020- 2023.

Nursing research is incredibly important for several key reasons:

• Improving patient outcomes: Nursing research plays a vital role in identifying best practices and evidence-based interventions that can improve patient care and outcomes. By conducting rigorous studies, nurses can determine the most effective treatments and strategies to enhance patient recovery and overall health.
• Advancing nursing practice: Research helps to expand nursing knowledge and the understanding of various health conditions. As new evidence emerges, nurses can update their practices accordingly, providing more up-to-date and informed care to their patients.
• Enhancing patient safety: Through research, nurses can identify potential risks and safety concerns in healthcare settings. By addressing these issues, nursing care can become safer and more efficient, reducing the likelihood of medical errors and adverse events.
• Tailoring care to individual needs: Nursing research contributes to the development of personalized care plans based on evidence and patient-specific factors. This approach ensures that patients receive treatments and interventions that align with their unique needs, leading to better outcomes and patient satisfaction.
• Informing healthcare policies: Policymakers often rely on nursing research to make informed decisions about healthcare policies, resource allocation, and healthcare system improvements. Research findings can influence the development of guidelines and protocols that impact patient care on a larger scale.
• Supporting evidence-based practice: Nursing research provides a scientific foundation for evidence-based practice (EBP). EBP involves integrating the best available evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences to make informed decisions about patient care. High-quality nursing research contributes to the evidence pool and strengthens the basis for EBP.
• Fostering professional development: Engaging in research encourages nurses to stay updated with the latest developments in their field, fostering ongoing learning and professional growth. It allows nurses to critically evaluate their practice, challenge assumptions, and seek continuous improvement in their care delivery.
• Contributing to interdisciplinary collaboration: Nursing research often involves collaboration with other healthcare disciplines, such as medicine, pharmacy, and public health. This interprofessional approach leads to a more comprehensive understanding of healthcare challenges and encourages teamwork to address complex issues.
• Generating new knowledge: Nursing research contributes to the overall body of knowledge in healthcare and nursing. This accumulation of knowledge continually pushes the boundaries of what is known, opening new avenues for further investigation and innovation in nursing practice.

Overall, nursing research is the foundation for evidence-based, compassionate, and high-quality patient care. It empowers nurses to be active contributors to the advancement of their profession, while ultimately benefiting the health and well-being of patients worldwide
  

Our abstract  "A Multi-national Collaboration: Examining the Healthcare Encounters of Migrant Nurses," has been selected for an in-person oral presentation for Sigma's 34th International Nursing Research Congress, in July 2023.

Globalization: Migrant nurses' acculturation and their healthcare encounters as consumers of healthcare

Migrants' Healthcare Experience: A Meta-Ethnography Review of the Literature.

Luiking ML, Heckemann B, Ali P, Dekker-van Doorn C, Ghosh S, Kydd A, Watson R, Patel H. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2019 Jan;51(1):58-67. doi: 10.1111/jnu.12442. Epub 2018 Nov 2. PMID: 30390377

Abstract

Purpose: Worldwide, more than 214 million people have left their country of origin. This unprecedented mass migration impacts health care in host countries. This article explores and synthesizes literature on the healthcare experiences of migrants.

Design: A meta-ethnography study of qualitative studies was conducted.

Methods: Eight databases (Medline, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature [CINAHL], PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science, Migration Observatory, National Health Service Scotland Knowledge Network, and Adaptive Spectrum and Signal Alignment [ASSIA]) were searched for relevant full-text articles in English, published between January 2006 and June 2016. Articles were screened against inclusion criteria for eligibility. Included articles were assessed for quality and analyzed using Noblit and Hare's seven-step meta-ethnography process.

Findings: Twenty-seven studies were included in the review. Five key contextualization dimensions were identified: personal factors, the healthcare system, accessing healthcare, the encounter, and the healthcare experience. These five areas all underlined the uniqueness of each individual migrant, emphasizing the need to treat a person rather than a population. Within a true person-centered approach, the individual's cultural background is fundamental to effective care.

Conclusions: From the findings, a model has been designed using the five dimensions and grounded in a person-centered care approach. This may help healthcare providers to identify weak points, as well as to improve the organization and healthcare professionals' ability to provide person-centered care to migrant patients.

Clinical relevance: The proposed model facilitates identification of points of weakness in the care of migrant patients. Employing a person-centered care approach may contribute to improve health outcomes for migrant patients.

Keywords: Cultural diversity; Ethnography; Health education; Nurse patient relationship; Quality of services.

Members of the Research Task Force 

Marie-Louise Luiking (intrim chair), Angela Simones, Sigalit Warshawski, Harshida Patel, Cheryl Zlotnick ( Advisor), Martin Červený, Saija Sihvola, Joy Shao, Danella Collins &  Luisa Santos.

 Terms of Reference

• To promote research pertaining to Migration/ Nurse Healthcare Experiences  and Doctoral thesis research between 2020-2023 across the European Chapters.
• To give a secure platform to members wishing to carry out and be involved in International research.
• To provide mentoring/coaching to ealy career nurse researchers
• To promote awarness of this topic  for nursing across the European Chapters
• To track the progress and activities of the  committee against the provided planning.
• To seek out and identify sources of funding