Professor Kay de Vries

Kay de Vries is Professor of Older People’s Health at De Montfort University, UK. Kay has a nursing background with a career ranging from Public Health Nursing in a remote part of New Zealand to specialising in palliative and old age care in the UK. She has a strong interest in virtue ethics, specifically humility and generosity.

Kay has held a number of research grants both on the UK and in New Zealand and her research expertise is predominantly in end of life, old age and dementia care; in acute, community and care home environments. Examples of recent research projects include; experiences of caregivers of people with dementia on acute hospital admissions and providing end of life care; assessing for risk of abuse, neglect and loss of dignity for people with dementia in care homes; she has been involved in the development of a number of training resources for healthcare providers of dementia care.

Kay is predominantly a qualitative researcher and has expertise in all qualitative research methodologies but is also experienced in using mixed methods approaches. She has developed and led a number of postgraduate research programmes and supervised a large number of MSc and PhD research students. She holds three research affiliate positions in the UK, USA and New Zealand.

• Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) Midlands Network

• East Midlands Research into Ageing Network (EMRAN)

• CLAHRC East Midlands

• Member British Society of Gerontology BSG, UK
• Reviewer for research grants: Alzheimer’s Society Research Grants, UK; BUPA Foundation Grants, UK; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), UK

• Member of the National Dementia Care Cooperative, New Zealand

• Hales, C., Curran, N., de Vries, K. (IN PRESS). Morbidly obese patients’ experiences of mobility during hospitalisation and rehabilitation: A qualitative descriptive study. Nursing Praxis,
• Hales, C., de Vries, K., Coombs M. (2017). The challenges in caring for morbidly obese patients in Intensive Care: An ethnographic study. Australian Critical Care, doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2017.02.070. [Epub ahead of print]
• Banerjee, S., Farina, N., Daley, S., Grosvenor, W., Hughes, L., Hebditch, M., Mackrell, S., Nilforooshan, R., Wyatt, C., de Vries, K., Haq, I., Wright, J. (2016). How do we enhance undergraduate healthcare education in dementia? A review of the role of innovative approaches and development of the Time for Dementia programme. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Oct 10. doi: 10.1002/gps.4602. [Epub ahead of print]
• Coombs, M., Parker, R., de Vries, K. (2016). Can qualitative research interviews have therapeutic benefit for participants in end of life and bereavement research? European Journal of Palliative Care, 23(5) 227-231.
• Coombs, M., Parker, R., de Vries, K. (2016). Managing risk during care transitions when approaching end of life: a qualitative study of patients’ and health care professionals’ decision-making. Palliative Medicine, Published online before print October 7, 2016, doi: 10.1177/0269216316673476
• de Vries, K., Drury-Ruddlesden, J., Gaul, C. (2016). “And so I took up residence”: The experiences of family members of people with dementia during admission to an acute hospital unit. Dementia, Jun 20. pii: 1471301216656097. [Epub ahead of print]
• Parker, R., de Vries, K., Coombs, M. (2016). Redefining the carer-patient dyad at end of life. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 22(6):272-7. doi: 10.12968/ijpn.2016.22.6.272
• de Vries, K., Plaskota, M. (2016). Ethical dilemmas faced by hospice nurses when administering palliative sedation to patients with terminal cancer. Palliative & Supportive Care, Published online. doi:10.1017/S1478951516000419
• Hales, C., de Vries, K., Coombs M. (2016). Managing social awkwardness when caring for extremely fat patients in intensive care: A focused ethnography. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 58: 82-89.
• Kane, J., de Vries, K. (2016). Dignity in long term care: The application of Nordenfelt’s “four notions of dignity”. Nursing Ethics, 2016 Jan 24. pii: 0969733015624487. [Epub ahead of print]
• de Vries K., Walton, J., Nelson, K., Knox, R. (2015). An examination of the research priorities for a hospice service in New Zealand: A Delphi study. Palliative & Supportive Care, 1-9, doi:10.1017/S1478951515000838. Published online: 16 June 2015.
• Coombs. MA, Tester, R., Donovan, S., Fullbrook, P., de Vries, K. (2015). Certainty and uncertainty about end of life care nursing practices in New Zealand Intensive Care Units: a mixed methods study. Australian Critical Care, Published on line DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aucc.2015.03.002
• de Vries, K., Leppa, C., Sandford, R., Vydelingun, V. (2014). Administering questionnaires to older people: Rigid adherence to protocol may deny and disacknowledge emotional expression. Journal of Aging Studies, 31:132-138. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2014.09.005
• Davidson, R., Banister, E., de Vries, K., (2013). Primary healthcare NZ nurses’ experiences of advance directives: Coming to understand their potential role. Nursing Praxis, 29(2) 26-33.
• Brooker, D., La Fontaine, J., de Vries, K., Latham, I. (2013). The development of PIECE-dem: Focusing on the experience of care for people with living with advanced dementia. Clinical Psychology Forum, 250: 38-46.
• de Vries, K. (2013). Communicating with older people with dementia. Nursing Older People, 25(4) 30-37. DOI: 10.7748/nop2013.05.25.4.30.e429
• Green, A., de Vries, K., Hewitt, J. (2012). What are the issues for community pharmacists when patients use cannabis for therapeutic reasons in their home? The Pharmaceutical Journal, 289: 531-532.
• de Vries, K., Brooker, D., Smith, P. (2012). Dementia skills and competencies for Primary Care Liaison: a model for improving identification and timely diagnosis. Primary Healthcare Research & Development, 14(3) 240-9. doi:10.1017/S1463423612000266
• de Vries, K., Wells, J., Plaskota, M. (2012). Evaluation of an admission and discharge process for specialist palliative day hospice in the United Kingdom using case study methodology. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 18(6) 275-281.
• de Vries, K., Green, A. (2012). Therapeutic use of cannabis. Nursing Times, 108: 9, 12-15.
• Arber, A., Hutson, N., de Vries, K., Guerrero, D. (2012). Finding the right kind of support: A study of carers of those with a primary malignant brain tumour. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 17(1) 52-8. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2012.01.008
• de Vries, K., Nowell, A. (2011). Dementia deaths in hospice: a retrospective case note audit. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 17(12) 581-585.
• Maher, K., de Vries, K. (2011). An exploration of the lived experiences of individuals with relapsed Multiple Myeloma. European Journal of Cancer Care, 20, 267-275. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2010.01234.x
• de Vries, K., McChrystal, J. (2010). Using attachment theory to improve the care of people with dementia. International Journal of Work Organisation and Emotion, 3(3) 287-301.
• Green, A., de Vries, K. (2010). Cannabis use in palliative care. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 19: 2454–2462. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2010.03274.x
• Kovan, L., de Vries, K. (2010). “Getting it right”: an ethnographic study on how palliative care nurses discuss death. International Journal of Work Organisation and Emotion, 3(3) 190-205.
• Arber, A., Faithfull, S., Plaskota, M., Lucas, C., de Vries, K. (2010). A study of patients with a primary malignant brain tumour and their carers: symptoms and access to services. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 6(1) 590-596.
• Saltmarsh, K., de Vries, K. (2008). The paradoxical image of chemotherapy: a phenomenological description of nurses’ experiences of administering chemotherapy. European Journal of Cancer Care, 17(5) 500-508. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2007.00909.x
• Sayers, K., de Vries, K. (2008). A concept development of ‘being sensitive’ in Nursing. Nursing Ethics, 15(3) 287-303. doi: 10.1177/0969733007088355 

• Old age
• Dementia
• Family caregivers of older people and people with dementia
• Acute, community and care home environments
• End of life/palliative care
• Humility

• 2006: PhD, (Health & Medical Sciences) University of Surrey, UK
• Thesis Title: Caring for the person with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease within the hospice service.
• 2000: MSc (Education) University of Surrey, UK
• 1997: Postgraduate Certificate in Education of Adults (PGCEA), University of Surrey, UK
• 1997: BSc (Hons) Nursing, Middlesex University, London, UK
• 1991: Registered Nurse, NMC, UK: NMC Reg. No: 90L0020O 

• Drury-Ruddlesden, J., de Vries, K. (2016). Computer gaming therapy. Alzheimers NZ Biennial Conference, Wellington, NZ, Nov (paper)
• de Vries, K., Drury-Ruddlesden, J., Gaul, C. (2016). “And so I took up residence”: The experiences of family members of people with dementia during admission to an acute hospital unit. 45^th Annual BSG Conference, Stirling, July (paper)
• de Vries, K., Drury-Ruddlesden, J. (2014). Recognising, screening and diagnosis for dementia in acute hospital units: Challenges and pitfalls. Alzheimers NZ Biennial Conference, Rotorua, NZ, Nov (paper)
• Drury-Ruddlesden, J., de Vries, K. (2014). Does computer gaming therapy contribute to improved quality of life and cognitive functioning for people with mild to moderate dementia? Results of a pilot study. Alzheimers NZ Biennial Conference, Rotorua, NZ. Nov (paper)
• Coombs MA, de Vries K, Tester R, Donovan S, Fullbrook P. (2014). Areas of uncertainty and difference in attitudes about end of life nursing care practices: an international comparison. ESICM LIVES 2014, 27th Annual Congress, Barcelona, Spain, Sept (Poster)
• de Vries, K., Nelson, K., Tait, P., Broadbent, H., Coombs, M., Naylor, W. (2014). How do nurses contribute to palliative care prescribing practices in the community? Palliative Care Nurses Australia (PCNA) Conference, Sydney, April (paper)
• de Vries, K. (2013). Nurses singing while they work with people with dementia. Linking Cultures: NZSM Music Therapy Conference 2013, New Zealand School of Music, Wellington, NZ. Nov (Invited speaker)
• de Vries, K., (2012). ‘Stranger’ in the environment: observing people with advanced dementia. Contemporary Ethnography Across the Disciplines, University of Waikato, NZ, Nov (paper)
• Lally, E., Nelson, K., de Vries, K. (2012). A study of patient and practice nurse engagements. New Zealand Nurses Organisation Research Conference, Nelson, Nov (paper)
• de Vries, K., Brooker, D., La Fontaine, J., Porter, T.(2012). Emotional responses to observation research in the field of dementia care: ethical and moral considerations. British Society of Gerontology (BSG) Conference 2012, Keele University, UK, July (paper)
• de Vries, K., Vydelingum, V., Leppa, C., Sandford, R.(2012). Morale and Spirituality in care homes in the UK and NZ: Analysis of interviews collected using questionnaires. British Society of Gerontology (BSG) Conference 2012, Keele University, UK, July (paper)
• Knox, R., de Vries, K. (2012). What research do we need? One robust and collaborative way to answer the question. 20th Hospice New Zealand Palliative Care Conference. Auckland, NZ, Nov (paper)
• Bowden-Tucker, J., de Vries, K. (2012) End of life in the home: Supporting and sustaining family. 20th Hospice New Zealand Palliative Care Conference. Auckland, NZ, Nov (paper)
• de Vries, K., Brooker, D., La Fontaine, J., Porter, T.(2012). Emotional responses to observation research in the field of dementia care: ethical and moral considerations. Alzheimers New Zealand Conference 2012, Future Faces of Dementia, Wellington, NZ, May (paper)
• Ridley S., de Vries K. (2012). ‘Sidelined: the experience of family carers of people with dementia] in the Emergency Department’. Alzheimers New Zealand Conference, Future Faces of Dementia, Wellington, NZ, May (paper)
• Lally, E., Nelson, K., de Vries, K. (2011). Patient and practice nurse engagements. Consumers Reforming Health Conference, Melbourne, July (paper)
• de Vries, K. (2011). Advance Care Planning, UK perspective. Palliative Care Network Forum, Palmerston North, NZ. July. Invited Speaker
• de Vries, K. (2011). Ethics at the end of life – ‘Starting the conversation’. Changing Minds 2011. Te Omanga Hospice, Lower Hutt, Wellington, NZ. July. Invited Speaker.
• de Vries, K. (2011). Ethical Issues in Managing Care of People with Dementia within a Hospice Environment. Third Biennial Palliative Care Nurses New Zealand (PCNNZ) conference, “Building Capacity and Capability in Palliative Care Nursing in New Zealand”, Wellington, Nov (paper)
• de Vries, K., Vydelingum, V., Leppa, C. (2010). An approach to data collection: combining questionnaire data collection with interview data collection. British Society of Gerontology (BSG) Conference, Brunel University, London, UK. July (paper)
• de Vries, K. (2010). Master Class Working in partnership with academia to improve care. Achieving a good death: Best practice and innovations in the current climate. Dementia UK, & National Council for Palliative Care (NCPC), London. December. Invited Speaker
• de Vries, K. (2010) Dementia as a terminal illness: challenges and dilemmas. Rhetoric or Reality? The challenges in responding to diversity and differences when delivering EOL care, 10th Annual Worcestershire Palliative Care Conference, Worcester. April. Invited Speaker
• de Vries, K, Reith, M. (2009). ‘End-of-life care: developing practice in caring for the whole family unit’, Two day workshop. Annual Hospice Palliative Care International Workshop, Peace House Hospice, Tokyo, Japan. February. (Invited Speaker)
• de Vries, K., (2009). Healing, caring and silence. 10^th Anniversary International Conference Nursing Ethics (NCNE) Conference, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK. Sept (paper)
• de Vries, K., Nowell, A. (2009). Development of a hospice based education programme for health care professionals focusing on end-of-life care for people with dementia. 19^th Alzheimer Europe Conference, Brussels, Belgium. May (paper)

• de Vries, K. (2009). Emergent fit, open systems theory and grounded theory in constructing substantive or formal theory. Symbolic Interaction and Ethnographic Research: 26^th Annual Qualitative Analysis Conference, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. April (paper)
• de Vries, K. (2009). Dealing with the unknown’: an explanatory theory of managing the care of the person with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease by the hospice service. Symbolic Interaction and Ethnographic Research: 26^th Annual Qualitative Analysis Conference, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. April (paper)
• de Vries, K. (2008). Emergent fit and grounded theory. 7^th Qualitative Research Conference, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK. Sept (paper)
• de Vries, K. (2008). Humility and helplessness in the realisation of limitations within hospice. Nursing Ethics and Health Care Policy – Bridging Local, National and International Perspectives: International Centre for Nursing Ethics Conference, Yale University School of Nursing, USA. July (paper)
• de Vries, K., McChrystal, J. (2008). Applying attachment theory and research to care of people with dementia. International Emotions Conference, University of Surrey, June (paper)
• de Vries, K. (2008). Ethical issues in managing end-stage dementia within a hospice environment. 18^th Alzheimer Europe Conference, Oslo, Norway. May (paper)

• 2012 submitting Dec 2017, Aria Graham, PhD, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, Tika tonu: Young Māori Mothers’ experiences of wellbeing in the 12 months following the birth of their first tamaiti (infant). Narrative biography. Principal Supervisor.
• 2011 submitting Dec 2017, Delia Baskerville, PhD, Victoria University of Wellington, School of Educational Psychology & Pedagogy, Underneath the skin of truancy in schools. Grounded Theory. Co-supervisor.
• 2012 – 2018, Isabelle Latham, PhD, Association for Dementia Studies, University of Worcester, UK, Learning to care: An ethnographic study of how care workers in care homes learn to care for people living with dementia. Ethnography. Second Supervisor.
• 2015 – 2018, Laura Gilbert, PhD, School of Health Sciences, University of Brighton. A study to explore the experiences of young people aged 16-21 years with Neuromuscular disorders of their experiences of transition from children's to adult services. Case Study. Second Supervisor.
• 2015 – 2018, Rachel Heathershaw, PhD, School of Health Sciences, University of Brighton. A critical exploration of role modelling as a leadership behaviour in nursing practice. Case Study. Second Supervisor.
• 2016 – 2020, Donna Goddard, PhD, School of Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Examination of prison nursing. Narrative historical. Principle Supervisor.

• Research title: An investigation of use of simulated training to enhance clinical leadership skills within the residential care sector. The project offer a transferable approach to strengthen clinical leadership to ensure nurses and care assistants are able to lead care.
  Team: Prof Kate Galvin (PI) University of Brighton, Prof Kay de Vries De Montfort University, Dr Iain Wilkinson (Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer – BSMS, Consultant Orthogeriatrician) Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
  Dates: Oct 2018 - 2020
  Funding: £49,431 Burdette Trust
  
  

• Research title: Review of the New Zealand literature on dementias and related conditions. Aim to review the existing bio-psychosocial literature on dementias and related conditions in New Zealand.
  Team: Dr Podugu Prasadarao (PI) Waikato; Dr Kay de Vries; Dr Gary Cheung Auckland
  Dates: Oct 2014 - 2015
  Funding: $5,000 Alzheimers NZ Charitable Trust
   

• Research title: Cognitive Stimulation using computer technology for people with mild to moderate dementia (3 years PhD Scholarship).
  Team: Dr Kay de Vries (PI); Jenny Drury-Ruddlesden (PhD Student); Dr Kathy Nelson
  Dates: August 2013 - Jan 2017
  Funding: $100,000 Callaghan Innovation/Im-Able Limited (PhD Fellowship)
  
  

• Research title: Delphi Study: Research priorities for Te Omanga Hospice.
  Team: Dr Kay de Vries (PI); Prof Jo Walton; Rhondda Knox; Dr Kathy Nelson
  Dates: April 2013 (6 months)
  Funding: $2,000, Te Omanga Hospice, Lower Hutt, NZ
   

• Research title: Exploration of family/whānau/caregivers of people with dementia about their experiences of end of life care.
  Team: Dr Kay de Vries (PI); Jenny Drury-Ruddlesden
  Dates: June 2012 – June 2014
  Funding: $8,300 Alzheimers NZ Charitable Trust
  
  
• Research title: Evaluation of the end of life care experiences of people with dementia and their caregivers.
  Team: Dr Kate Read (PI); Dr Kay de Vries; Karen Harrison-Dening; Jennifer Bray
  Dates: March 2011-2013
  Funding: £34,000 (£24,000 – Dementia UK, £10,000 – West Midlands Strategic Health Authority (WMSHA), UK)
  
  

• Research title: Scoping of education for end of life care and dementia.
  Team: Dr Kay de Vries (PI); Jennifer Bray
  Dates: July 2010 – April 2011 (9 months)
  Funding: £20,000 West Midlands Strategic Health Authority, UK
  
  
• Research title: Training and development resource (DVD) for healthcare staff working with people with dementia.
  Team: Prof Dawn Brooker, Dr Kay de Vries and Association for Dementia Studies Team
  Dates: Jan 2010 – June 2011 (18 months),
  Funding: £100,000, Workforce Deanery Herefordshire and Worcestershire, UK
   

• Research title: Explore the support and education needs of people with dementia and carers within the Coventry and Warwickshire area in collaboration with Coventry University
  Team: Dr Kay de Vries (PI); Jenny La Fontaine; Prof Dawn Brooker
  Dates: Feb-May 2010 (4 months)
  Funding: £59,719 NHS Coventry, UK
   

• Research title: Developing a tool for assessing for risk of abuse, neglect and loss of dignity for people with dementia in care homes.
  Team: Prof Dawn Brooker (PI); Jenny La Fontaine; Dr Kay de Vries; Tom Porter; Dr Claire Surr
  Dates: Jan 2010-April 2011 (16 months)
  Funding: £65,000 Department of Health (Comic Relief) PANICOA UK
  
  
• Research title: Development of role, competences and proposed training for; “Primary Care Liaison Worker” to support pathway to diagnosis of dementia.
  Team: Dr Kay de Vries (PI); Prof Dawn Brooker; Tom Porter
  Dates: Sept 2009 – March 2010 (6 months)
  Funding: £10,800, Workforce Development for Dementia, Strategic Health Authority, West Midlands, UK
  
  

• Research title: Study of carers of patients with a malignant brain tumour.
  Team: Dr Anne Arber (PI); Prof Sara Faithfull; Dr Caroline Lucas; Dr Kay de Vries; Marek Plaskota
  Dates: 2007-2009 (24 months)
  Funding: £28,000, Surrey, Sussex Palliative Care Network, UK
   

• Research title: Development and evaluation of ‘best practice guide’/’pathway’ and education programme for caring for people with dementia at the end of life within the hospice.
  Team: Dr Kay de Vries (PI); Allyson Nowell
  Dates: 2008-2009 (18 months)
  Funding: £50,000, Barclay Capital Fund UK

• Research title: Transition across services for older people.
  Team: Prof Maureen Coombs (PI) Victoria University of Wellington; Dr Kay de Vries, University of Brighton, UK; Roslyn Parker (RA) Victoria University of Wellington
  Dates: Feb 2015 – Nov 2015 
  Funding: $33,000, Victoria University of Wellington, NZ
  
  

• Research title: The Emergency Department clinicians' perspectives of managing people with chronic pain.
  Team: Dr Kathy Nelson (PI); Dr Kay de Vries; Dr Paul Hardy (Pain Physician Consultant); Dagmar Hempel; Aseni Ratnayake (nurses)
  Dates: Dec 2012 - Dec 2014
  Funding: $ 4,997 Victoria University of Wellington, NZ
   

• Research title: Intensive care nurses experiences of, and attitudes towards, end of life care: a New Zealand perspective.
  Team: Prof Maureen Coombs (PI); Dr Kay de Vries; Prof Paul Fulbrook
  Dates: June 2013 - June 2014
  Funding: $4,996, Victoria University of Wellington, NZ
  
  

• Research title: Quality of life study of residents in nursing homes.
  Team: Dr Kay de Vries (PI); Rosemarie Sandford (Masters student)
  Dates: Jan 2013 - 2014 (extended from UK & US studies)
  Funding: $3,880 Victoria University of Wellington, NZ
  
  
• Research title: Examination of the experiences of older people with dementia and their professional and family caregivers during admission to an acute hospital unit.
  Team: Dr Kay de Vries (PI); Jenny Drury-Ruddlesden
  Dates: March 2012 – Jan 2015
  Funding: $39,714 Victoria University of Wellington, NZ.

Journal reviewer for: Nursing Ethics; Ageing & Society; Qualitative Health Research; International Journal of Nursing Studies; Palliative Medicine; Journal of Palliative Medicine; Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care; International Journal of Palliative Nursing; Nursing Older People; BMJ; Quality of Life Research; Age & Ageing; BMC Health Services Research; Nursing Inquiry; Journal of Advanced Nursing; Dementia

Teaching resource, DVD and associated workbook nominated for National Award http://www.worcester.ac.uk/discover/9981.html 

PIECE-dem tool that being used both nationally and internationally for assessment of practice and in research in care environments for people with dementia.

 http://www.panicoa.org.uk/panicoa-studies/how-can-i-tell-you-whats-going-on-here