Mr Prasundcoomar Ramluggun
Senior Lecturer in Nursing
Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery
Research
Groups
Projects as Co-investigator
- Investigating how nurse education prior to and during Covid prepares nurses for the pandemic : an analysis of what works(16/11/2020 - 31/10/2022), funded by: Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC), funding amount received by Brookes: £411,821, funded by: Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC)
Publications
Journal articles
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Ramluggun P, Mansbridge S, Kozlowska O, Rioga M, Anjoyeb M, 'Mental Health in Higher Education; Faculty staff survey on supporting students with mental health needs'
Health Education 122 (6) (2022) pp.601-616
ISSN: 0965-4283 eISSN: 1758-714XAbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARThe purpose of this paper is to examine how faculty staff on health and social care programmes support students with mental health issues.
The study used a qualitative survey design to gain in-depth information on faculty staff experiences. Seventy-one faculty staff at two universities in the South East of England out of an eligible population of 115 staff responded to an anonymous online questionnaire which were thematically analysed.
The findings indicated that faculty staff were dealing with uncertainties in providing support to students with mental health needs. They reported tensions between their academic, professional and pastoral roles. There was a wide recognition that supporting students was physically and emotionally demanding for faulty staff and especially challenging when their roles and expectations were unclear. This was compounded by lack of explicit guidelines and an apparent severed connection between faculty staff and student support services
A need for clearly defined roles and responsibilities for faculty staff in supporting students with mental health needs including a review of their pastoral role were identified. The study reinforces the need for effective collaborative arrangements and collective decision making and clearer procedures in the planning and implementation of students’ personal support plans. A concerted effort into adopting a transpersonal approach which incorporates mental health staff awareness training, restorative spaces for reflection and supportive pathways for faculty staff.
This paper provides rare empirical evidence of faculty staff views on their role in supporting students with mental health needs on health and social care porgrammes. -
Matthews S, Brett J, Ramluggun P, Watson E, 'The psychosocial experiences of human papillomavirus (HPV) positive oropharyngeal cancer patients following (chemo)radiotherapy: A systematic review and meta-ethnography'
Psycho-Oncology 31 (12) (2022) pp.2009-2019
ISSN: 1057-9249 eISSN: 1099-1611AbstractPublished hereObjective
The UK incidence of oropharyngeal cancer has risen sharply over the last 30 years with an increase in human papillomavirus (HPV) associated diagnoses, most prevalent in younger, working age populations. This meta-ethnography explores the psychosocial needs of HPV+ve oropharyngeal cancer patients during early recovery following (chemo)radiotherapy.
Methods
Meta-ethnography methods were used, based on the approach of Noblit and Hare. Systematic searches for relevant qualitative studies were conducted in five electronic databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Cochrane database) between 2010 and 2021, followed by citation searching.
Results
Twenty-three papers exploring the psychosocial needs of HPV+ve oropharyngeal cancer patients after treatment were included. Findings were synthesised to develop five constructs: ‘gaps in continuity of support from healthcare professionals’ reflecting unmet needs; ‘changes to self-identity’ revealing the comprehensive disruption of this disease and treatment; ‘unrealistic expectations of recovery’ highlighting the difficulty of preparing for the impact of treatment; ‘finding ways to cope’ describing the distinct complexity of this experience; and ‘adjusting to life after the end of treatment’ exploring how coping strategies helped patients to regain control of their lives.
Conclusions
Completing (chemo)radiotherapy signalled a transition from hospital-based care to home-based support, challenging patients to address the constructs identified. An unexpectedly difficult and complex recovery meant that despite a favourable prognosis, poor psychosocial well-being may threaten a successful outcome. The provision of tailored support is essential to facilitate positive adjustment.
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Ramluggun P, Nathoo S, 'Compassion in Preregistration Nurse Education: An Integrated Review'
OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine 4 (2) (2019)
ISSN: 2573-4393 eISSN: 2573-4393AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARThe evolving, dynamic and challenging healthcare landscape requires that the art and science of nursing equip preregistration nursing students with the knowledge and skills to positively respond to these changes. Central to these students’ ability to demonstrate competence in the fundamentals of nursing care are core nursing attributes to meaningfully engage and attend to patients’ in delivering compassionate care and meeting their needs. The literature identifies the process of delivering compassionate care as a human dimension of caring that is complex and multifaceted. This paper discusses the concept of compassion in preregistration nurse education, its significance in the healing process and the challenges around building compassionate capacities for the future nursing workforce.
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Pras Ramluggun, Mary Lacy, Martha Caddle-Nisbet, Mike Anjoyeb, 'Managing the demands of the preregistration mental health nursing programme. The views of students with mental health conditions.'
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing 27 (6) (2018) pp.1793-1804
ISSN: 1445-8330 eISSN: 1447-0349AbstractAn increasing number of students with a pre-existing mental health condition are enrolling on preregistration mental health nursing programmes. The challenges faced by these students in managing the demands of the programme have not been fully explored. Mental health and well-being is an integral part of providing a healthy university in which students can flourish. The purpose of the study was to explore how students with an underlying mental health issue manage the demands of the mental health nursing programme. The outcomes of the study are aimed at informing inclusive teaching and learning and current student support provision. Ethics approval was given. Students from two universities in South East England who met the criterion of having a pre-existing mental health condition when enrolling on the mental health preregistration nursing programme were invited to take part. Nine students took part in the study. Using an interpretative descriptive design, 1:1 face-to-face, audio-taped, semistructured interviews were undertaken. The data were analysed using a framework approach, and this revealed four main themes: timing of disclosure; managing lived experience in learning environments; students' coping mechanisms, and experience of support. Recommendations for practice was that approved education institutes (AEIs) should ensure they have a robust, inclusive practice by implementing strategies to develop these students' resilience, and enhance their learning and the current support provisions. This will ensure the barriers to disclosing their mental health conditions are recognized and minimized to enable these students to fully contribute to their own learning and teaching experience.Published here Open Access on RADAR -
Ramluggun P, Chalmers C, Anjoyeb M, 'The practice of seclusion: A review of the current discourse on its use'
Mental Health Practice 21 (7) (2018)
ISSN: 1465-8720 eISSN: 2047-895XAbstractSeclusion is an intervention used as a safety measure to manage patients who are violent, show disturbed behaviour and who pose a risk of harm to others (Department of Health 2015). However, it is perceived as a contentious practice and, with the move towards treating people with mental health issues in the least restrictive environment, it has received much criticism. Consequently, there has been considerable debate about its therapeutic value and a call for it to be phased out. This article outlines the purpose of seclusion, and examines evidence on its use in adult mental health settings and its effect on nurses and patients, with emphasis on the interpersonal nature of nursing care during this intervention.Published here Open Access on RADAR -
Ramluggun P, Anjoyeb M, D’Cruz G, 'Mental health nursing students’ views on their readiness to address the physical health needs of service users on registration'
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing 26 (6) (2017) pp.570-579
ISSN: 1445-8330 eISSN: 1447-0349AbstractThere is substantial evidence that people (service users) living with a serious mental illness experience poorer physical health than the general population and die prematurely from life‐threatening illnesses. Mental health nurses are best placed to address the physical health needs of service users but evidence points to numerous challenges, including a deficit in their proficiency to meet these needs. Nurse education and mental health services are being reshaped to better equip nurses with the skill set to meet the care needs of service users. The aim of the present study was to gain an in‐depth insight into final‐year mental health nursing students’ views (MHNS) of their preparation to address the physical health needs of service users. Using a qualitative exploratory approach, the views of final‐year MHNS learning experiences of physical care were explored through a focus group and in‐depth interviews. The focus group generated broad issues, which were then explored in semistructured, individual interviews. The transcribed audio‐taped data were analysed using a framework approach to identify the emerging key themes. The themes identified were the comprehensiveness of physical care content, delivery and method of teaching, exposure to physical care in practice, and confidence to address physical health needs. The findings of the present study indicate that there is a need to enhance both the theoretical and practical components of preregistration education for MHNS on physical care.Published here -
Clifton A, Burgess C, Clement S, Ohlsen R, Ramluggun P, Sturt J, Walters P, Barley EA, 'Influences on uptake of cancer screening in mental health service users: a qualitative study'
BMC Health Services Research 16 (2016) pp.1-12
ISSN: 1472-6963 eISSN: 1472-6963AbstractBackground. Cancers are a leading cause of death worldwide. People with mental illness are 30 % more likely to die from cancer than the general population. One reason for this may be low uptake of nationally offered cancer screening tests by people with mental illness. We aimed to identify barriers and facilitators for breast, cervical and bowel cancer screening uptake by people with mental illness in order to inform interventions to promote equal access. Methods. The interview study was conducted in both urban and rural settings. The study was informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework, using framework analysis and triangulation across participant groups. Participants included 45 mental health service users (service users) eligible for cancer screening, 29 mental health professionals and 11 professionals involved in cancer screening. Results. Themes emerging from the data that affected uptake included knowledge of screening programmes by both service users and healthcare providers; knowledge of, and attitudes towards, mental illness; health service-delivery factors; service users’ beliefs and concerns about cancer screening, and practical issues. These are relevant to different stages of the screening process. Service users do not receive invitations to screening or cancer testing kits if they are admitted to hospital. They are not routinely invited for screening if they are not registered with a general practitioner (GP). Lack of integrated care means that mental health staff do not know if someone is overdue for a test and cancer screening is often not considered during health promotion. Barriers including information processing problems, the extent to which the screening process aggravates symptoms, poor staff client relationships and travel difficulties vary between individuals. Screening professionals are motivated to help, but may lack time or training to manage mental health needs. Reactive measures are available, but service users must request help which they may find difficult. Conclusions. There are specific barriers to cancer screening uptake for mental health service users that prevent equality of care. Interventions that can be personalised are needed at individual, policy and service-delivery levels. Primary and secondary care staff and policy-makers should work together to develop an integrated approach to cancer screening in this population.Published here Open Access on RADAR -
Ramluggun P, Emakpor O, 'Young onset dementia service provision and its effect on service users and family members'
Mental Health Practice 19 (10) (2016)
ISSN: 1465-8720 eISSN: 2047-895XAbstractDementia in people under the age of 65 is not well recognised and is generally treated in the same way as it is in people aged over 65. However, the evidence shows that these patients, and their carers and members of their family, experience dementia differently from people aged over 65. They need specific assistance from a range of agencies when receiving the diagnosis and through the progression of the disease. Such assistance encompasses working closely with the patient and their family, and an interdisciplinary approach across boundaries to address their complex needs. This article critically explores the additional challenges faced by the younger population suffering from dementia, including the service provision, pathways and delivery.Published here -
Ramluggun P, 'A critical exploration of the management of self-harm in a male custodial setting: qualitative findings of a comparative analysis of prison staff views on self-harm.'
Journal of Forensic Nursing 9 (1) (2013) pp.23-34
ISSN: 1556-3693AbstractThere are a growing number of prisoners who self-harm in prisons in England and Wales despite adopting a safer custody ethos. An in-depth study of staff views of self-harm from various agencies within the prison and the integration of their different forms of expertise and perspectives to address this problem is lacking. Negative attitudes to self-harm have been identified as an additional risk factor to this problematic behavior.Published here
Aim: This study identified and compared relevant attitudinal dimensions of custodial and healthcare staff on prisoners who self-harm in an Adult Male "Local" Category B prisons (referred to as the study prison) where self-harm was twice the national average (14%).
Method: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 37 prison staff (14 nurses and 23 prison officers) as part of a mixed methods research study where documentary evidence and a self-harm questionnaire were also used. This paper discusses and presents the findings for the thematic analysis of the semistructured interviews.
Findings: The key themes identified were understanding self-harm, building relationships, organizational issues, occupational issues, and care management of self-harm. The findings suggest that most prison staff felt unsupported and inadequately equipped to manage self-harm, and reported interdisciplinary conflict on its collective management. -
Ramluggun P, Lindsay B, Pfeil M, 'Research in prison: a researcher-practitioner's view'
Nurse Researcher 17 (3) (2010) pp.60-71
ISSN: 1351-5578AbstractThe prevalence of physical and mental health problems is high in prisoners compared with the general population, although health services are closing the gaps. These disparities and the unique setting make for a potent environment for research into offender health. However, conducting research in prison does present difficulties. This paper presents an 'insider's' view of the process, from setting up a qualitative research project through to obtaining relevant approvals and support in this paradoxical world of regulatory bodies.Published here
Book chapters
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Haynert H, Ramluggun P, 'The development of prisoners' mental health services in England and Wales : an overview' in Harald Haynert & Heinz Kammeier (ed.), Wegschliessen für immer? : ethische, rechtliche und soziale Konzepte im Umgang mit gefährlichen Menschen auf dem gesellschaftlichen Prüfstand, Pabst Science Publishers (2012)
ISBN: 9783899677898 -
Wallace B Ramluggun P, 'Ramluggun P. (2014) Recovery from self-harm in prison' in Bruce Wallace (ed.), Self-harm/Self-injury. An exploration of attitudes and issues from literature and personal stories, Chipmunka Publishing (2012)