Researcher in Focus - Dr Janice Richmond

This month our Researcher in Focus is Dr Janice Richmond, Advanced Nurse Practitioner in the Oncology Department at Letterkenny University Hospital, who is currently carryout research into ways in which cancer patients who have gone through treatment can feel better, both physically and psychologically. This research is funded by the Irish Cancer Society with support from Relay for Life Donegal.

Janice Richmond qualified as a registered nurse in 1996, and has worked in Belfast, Kenya and since 2004 in Letterkenny University Hospital. In these different locations she has held various roles as Staff Nurse, Nurse Manager, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Practice Development Nurse. She was the first accredited Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Oncology in Ireland (2006) and currently she remains in this post in Letterkenny University Hospital.

Her clinical work is mainly in follow-up care in the Oncology Department which involves reviewing patients after they have completed their treatment for cancer. To fulfil this role to its maximum she has undertaken further study to enable her to be a Register Nurse Prescriber (of medications) and to request radiological imaging (X-rays).

In addition, Janice teaches undergraduate nurses in Letterkenny Institute of Technology as well as providing education for registered nurses and junior doctors in Letterkenny University Hospital. Janice has also worked closely with the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) on a couple of projects and is a member of some NCCP committees/steering groups.

Janice has consistently been involved in research and since 2004 has been widely published on the studies and projects that she has worked on. At least one research paper or practice initiative is presented annually at an international conference and Janice has been an invited speaker at various national/international conferences over the last ten years.

Since qualifying in 1996 she has received eight awards for various aspects of her work. Her most recent research was conducted in conjunction with the Clinical Trials Nurse Mary Grace Kelly and this work was recognised at the staff recognition awards in 2015.

Janice is one of two principle investigators for the Relay for Life Donegal/Irish Cancer Society. The subjects for this (n=107) are all local cancer survivors. Clinical Trials Nurse Mary Grace Kelly is collaborating on this locally and this work would not be possible without her help. This study is also being conducted in conjunction with the Psychology Department in NUIG with Dr Jane Walsh (Principal Investigator) along with Dr Jenny Groarke (Post Doctorate Research Assistant).

The researchers want to improve how people feel both physically and psychologically after they have had cancer. Their study aims to give people support and advice to improve their diet and to improve how active they are by providing them with a programme that suits their needs. They are compared to a group who are receiving usual care. Mobile phone technology is used to help those who are trying to change their diet and exercise patterns. The participants are followed for six months.

Performing research is an integral part of the ANP role and personally, Janice finds this aspect of work interesting, keeping her motivated and allowing local cancer survivors access to research within their locality. In particular, this current piece of work has promoted good team working as the researchers have worked closely with and used the skills of local physiotherapists, dieticians and psychologists to provide the tailored programme for the study participants.