Example health and social care dissertation topic 1:

A review of best practice with the regard to the dissemination of information between nurses and doctors on a paediatric ward.

Conscious of the need, as noted by the Royal College of Nursing (2010), for professionalism to be shown by doctors to nurses, this dissertation evaluates the extent to which respect is indeed shown in two paediatric wards – those of Leeds Royal Infirmary and the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Using a thorough review of existing literature on the holistic care needs of patients as well as that relating to the barriers to effective communication within the profession, this dissertation is additionally strengthened through the use of primary interviews with ward sisters and trainee nurses. Through these mechanisms, the dissertation will not only provide a ‘snap shot’ of the present day realities of ward life but also proffer suggestions as to how to maximise the respect agenda within the NHS.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Schofield, R.F. and Amodeo, M. (1999). ‘Interdisciplinary teams in health care and human services settings: are they effective?’. Health & Social Work, vol. 24(3), pp. 210-219.
• Bronstein, L.R. (2003). ‘A model for interdisciplinary collaboration’. Social Work, vol. 48(3), pp. 297-306.
• Sloper, P. (2004). ‘Facilitators and barriers for co-ordinated multi-agency services’. Child: Care, Health and Development, vol. 30(6), pp. 571-580.