VAMHN'S ECR BURSARY WINNER Kolia bene stanton REFLECTS ON HER SHORT TERM RESEARCH MISSION At the Durham University

Have a read below to see what our ECR bursary winner Dr Kolia Bene Stanton did with her award money. To find out how you can apply to our ECR Bursary Scheme click here.

As an independent researcher in South West, I investigate the intersection of arts and heath. By lived experiences and experiences of other individuals living with illnesses, I focus on personal stories of those individuals and am interested in the concept of Person- Centered Care, that acknowledges the patient as someone to engage as an active partner in their own care and treatment.
 
This is why I was genuinely delighted to be awarded the VAMHN Early Career Researcher (ECR) bursary to finance one-week research mission at the Durham University.
 
Researchers at the Institute for Medical Humanities, Durham University had recently launched the platform ‘Understanding the Voices’ with a rich network of partners and a wealth of resources available for use.
 
My main research question was how the production and distribution of such stories can be part of highly interactive and supportive that could enable healthcare professionals, carers and patients to develop their own stories and narratives. The research mission aimed at supporting on the integration and use of stories within healthcare development programmes; researching into the uses and applications of digital stories in healthcare quality improvement and as reflective tools in healthcare education.
 
Upon my return, I re-affirmed my belief in person-centred care, in the sense that patients are persons who are more than their illness. Within this framework, any provision of care should emanate from the patient’s experience of his/her situation, as well as his/her individual conditions, resources and restraints.
 
It is important for policy makers to understand that patients must be recognised to become a partner in health care. The starting point is to listen to the patient’s narrative, that along with other examinations, forms the basis for a health plan. Such a plan should be underpinned by relationship ethics and the equal value of all human beings and highlight the importance of respectfully LISTENING to the patient, as well as planning and following up care and treatments TOGETHER.