PETTLEP imagery should be explored further as a method to help nursing students acquire skills that have a psychomotor component.

This paper describes an evaluation of an 18 month pilot scheme for clinical facilitators (CFs) in the acute medical and surgical wards of a consortium's hospital trusts. The CFs were appointed to address two perceived deficits: the deficit in nursing skills showed by newly qualified Project 2000 nurses, and the deficit in supervision for clinical placement following the move of schools of nursing into higher education, the abolition of the clinical tutor and the increased workload on ward staff. The CFs were intended to enhance the competence of pre‐registration nursing students on clinical placement. The evaluation used a three‐pronged approach covering outcomes, process and multiple stakeholder perspectives. Outcome measures proved the most intractable, reflecting widespread problems in nurse education of specification and assessment. The process of clinical facilitation was investigated using consultative methods with the CFs themselves. On the basis of in‐depth interviews with the CFs, a four‐level model of clinical facilitation was developed that included, at its first level, the direct supervision of students in the ward. This supervisory role was characterized by six main teaching methods described by the CFs. These methods and the work of the CFs were evaluated through interviews, focus groups and questionnaires with key stakeholders: students; clinical staff, and university staff. Differences were found in the ranking by students, ward staff and university staff of the teaching methods and of the staff involved in practice learning. Within a generally positive evaluation of the work of the CFs, concerns were expressed regarding communication. University staff tended to evaluate the CFs less positively than did students and ward staff. Further research is recommended regarding those involved in the supervision of practice and the outcomes of their activities.

Objective: To explore the quality (accuracy, balance, practical context) of tabloid articles reporting on nutrition research, and public attitudes towards it. Design: A qualitative multi-method study consisting of a systematic analysis of tabloid articles and a series of focus groups with members of the public. Setting: Tabloid newspapers (nationwide). Focus groups were conducted at a UK university. Subjects: All UK tabloid newspapers were collated for a full calendar month. Members of the local Women's Institute and non-teaching staff within the University College Chester were recruited as focus group participants. Results: Twenty-nine tabloid articles were included. A standardised TAT (Tabloid Analysis Tool) was used a total of thirty-nine times (once for each research study cited). Twenty-six failed to accurately report research results, thirty-six failed to mention significant research limitations, and only five quoted a third-party expert source. Two focus groups, each with eight participants, were conducted. Attitudes expressed were largely negative, highlighting elements of confusion and scepticism. Articles were more likely to be disregarded than acted upon, although some value was attached to newspapers providing nutrition information. Conclusions: Tabloid reporting on nutrition research is not sufficiently accurate, balanced or contextualised, and public attitudes towards the reporting are not wholly favourable. Guidance for journalists via registered dietitians and a strengthening of present links could serve to utilise this form of mass media more effectively. Keywords Nutrition ResearchNewspapers Media Attitudes Accuracy The public's desire for information on nutrition is increasing (1) , yet we have little knowledge regarding public attitudes towards what information is presented by the media nor how accurate the reporting is in relation to the research to which it refers. Tabloid newspapers are a popular form of mass media within the UK. The public has quoted the print media as a key source of information on nutrition (2,3) . However, there is a lack of empirical research that has examined the quality of nutrition research reported in the media. For the purpose of this study, 'quality' of reporting is judged on whether the report concurs precisely with the original research study, if it remains unbiased not giving a misleading view of the research, and whether it provides practical contextual information for the public. The present qualitative study examined the quality of tabloid articles reporting on nutrition research, and public attitudes towards them. Literature reviewTabloids account for 75 % of all daily UK newspaper sales (4)

This article describes a longitudinal evaluation of the quality of life of service users with profound learning difficulties who were resettled from hospital accommodation to supported housing in the community. The Trident approach was used for the design of the evaluation with data gathered regarding outcomes, process and stakeholder perspectives. Using a specially designed tool, quality of life was measured in seven domains for 39 service users in the hospital as a base line and at six months, twelve months and eighteen months in supported housing. A statistically significant improvement in quality of life overall and in each of the seven domains was found. Questionnaire surveys of parents/next of kin and support staff confirmed these findings as did a number of qualitative case studies.

This article introduces a novel consultative method termed reconstitutive ethnography, considered useful for the in-depth description and analysis of the interaction between professional and client in the delivery of a health or social care program. The article contextualizes this method in process evaluation generally and specifically in what the author describes as exploratory process evaluation. Methods to study the interaction between professional and client are considered, culminating in a focus on so-called consultative methods that involve professionals in reflection on their practice. Reconstitutive ethnography, which integrates constitutive ethnography, critical incident analysis, and Delphi methods, is described and exemplified in evaluation studies undertaken by the author. Exploratory process evaluations are of value in evaluations to set standards, permit comparisons, facilitate causal analyses between delivery and outcomes, and allow for replication, and in research to contribute knowledge to the area of professional competence and its effectiveness.