Professor Joanna Smith RGN, RSCN, MSc (Hons), BSC (Hons), PhD
Professor of Nursing in Child Health
Summary
I am a registered adult and children’s nurse with extensive leadership experience both in NHS settings (primarily supporting children with complex surgical needs) and academia. My joint appointment between Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust enables me to use my experiences to support nurses to develop the confidence and capabilities to embed research into practice and education.
I co-lead the Child, Young Person and Family Group within the Centre for Applied Health & Social Care Research in the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences. My specific research interests relate to developing interventions to support children, young people and families in the context of childhood long-term / life-limiting conditions.
ORCID ID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0974-3591
About
I was appointed as Professor of Nursing in Child Health as joint appointment between Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in October 2023, with a specific remit to shape the nursing research agenda and build on existing collaborations between both organisations. Before joining SHU, I worked for over 15 years in the NHS leading and developing services for children with long-term conditions and complex surgical needs in acute care settings. With a natural progression to academia, I have worked in several Universities over two decades, drawing on my clinical experience to inform both teaching and research. I am passionate about ensuring nurses use the best available evidence to underpin practice, and developing the next generation of nurse researchers.
I co-lead the Child, Young Person and Family Group; group members undertake national/international Applied Health Research to inform policy and clinical practice in children and young people's long-term condition management. We use age/developmentally appropriate qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods to undertake research that improve clinical outcomes for children with long-term conditions, specifically in the co-design, co-production and evaluation of digital self-management interventions. My research focuses on developing interventions in relation to two areas:
1) Involving children, young people with a long-term condition and families in care decisions;
2) Interventions, in particular digital applications, to support children and young people with life limiting / threatening conditions that meet their psychological and existential needs.
My academic outputs include over 90 publications including peer review journal articles (H-index 23 / i10 index 35), authored book and book chapters, and over 50 conference presentations. I am particularly keen to support nurses to share research findings/ service improvements and good practice through presenting and publishing.
Teaching
Department of Nursing and Midwifery
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
I am an experienced lecturer, particularly known for explaining qualitative research methods in a meaningful way to both under and postgraduate students. I embed my own research into teaching for example contributing to resources / delivering sessions on the MSc Supportive, Palliative and End of Life Care.
Department of Nursing and Midwifery
https://www.shu.ac.uk/about-us/academic-departments/allied-health-professionals
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
Research
Murray C., Wang R., Smith, J., Tompson, A., Barrett E, Kuczer W, Howlett E. Improving asthma diagnosis using a home based testing strategy - a feasibility study. Research for Patient), National Institute Health Research funding, £237 113, 2022- ongoing.
Rodriguez, A.; Smith, J.; McSherry, W.; Tatterton, M.; Jimenez-Aranda, A.; Watts. L.; Kellehear, A. The qualitative DIGNITAL study: Amending and Developing Dignity Therapy for Young Adults with Life Limiting Conditions. Research for Patient Benefits, National Institute Health Research funding, £149 998, 2020- 2023.
Rodriguez, A.; Smith, J., Tatterton, M. The DIGNITAL study: Developing DIGNITAL to support Young Adults with neurodegenerative Life-Limiting Conditions and their family carers. Research for Patient Benefits (top up funds), National Institute Health Research funding, £22,450.00 (2021-22)
Top publications
Rodriguez, A. M., Kellehear, A., Lanfranchi, V., McSherry, W., Tatterton, M., Watts MBE, L., Yaziji, N., Smith, J. (2023). The Qualitative DIGNISPACE Study: The Co-Design of a Life Review, Meaning-Making and Legacy Leaving Digital Intervention for Young People with Life-Limiting Conditions. Illness, Crisis & Loss, Epub. https://doi.org/10.1177/10541373231202842
Watts, L., Rodriguez. A., Tatterton, M., Mc Sherry, W., Smith, J. (2020) Stakeholder perceptions of Dignity Therapy for children and young people with life-limiting conditions study. Integrative Therapies in Palliative Care, Epub. https://www.lidsen.com/journals/icm/icm-05-01-012
Rodriguez, A., Smith, J. & McDermid, K. (2018) Dignity therapy interventions for young people in palliative care: a rapid structured evidence review. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 24, 112-121. https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/epub/10.12968/ijpn.2018.24.7.339
UK research collaborations with colleagues at the Universities of Leeds, Staffordshire, Manchester and Northumbria. International research collaborations with colleagues in New Zealand based at Auckland University, and colleagues in Copenhagen Denmark at Aarhus University / Roskilde University and Hvidovre and Amager Hvidovre Hospital.
Publications
Key Publications
Rodriguez, A.M., Kellehear, A., Lanfranchi, V., McSherry, W., Tatterton, M., Watts MBE, L., ... Smith, J. (2023). The qualitative DIGNISPACE study: The co-design of a life review, meaning-making and legacy leaving digital intervention for young people with life-limiting conditions. Illness, crisis & loss. http://doi.org/10.1177/10541373231202842
Watts, L., Smith, J., McSherry, W., Tatterton, M., & Rodriguez, A. (2020). Stakeholder perceptions of dignity therapy for children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions in the UK. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 5 (1). http://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.2001012
Rodriguez, A., Smith, J., & McDermid, K. (2018). Dignity therapy interventions for young people in palliative care: a rapid structured evidence review. International journal of palliative nursing, 24 (7), 339-349. http://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2018.24.7.339
Smith, J., Cheater, F., & Bekker, H. (2015). Parents' experiences of living with a child with hydrocephalus: a cross-sectional interview-based study. Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy, 18 (5), 1709-1720. http://doi.org/10.1111/hex.12164
Smith, J., Cheater, F., Bekker, H., & Chatwin, J. (2015). Are parents and professionals making shared decisions about a child's care on presentation of a suspected shunt malfunction: a mixed method study? Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy, 18 (5), 1299-1315. http://doi.org/10.1111/hex.12106
Smith, J., Cheater, F., & Bekker, H. (2015). Parents' experiences of living with a child with a long-term condition: a rapid structured review of the literature. Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy, 18 (4), 452-474. http://doi.org/10.1111/hex.12040
Journal articles
Smith, J., & O'Shea, B. (2024). Social media can adversely impact young peoples' risk-taking behaviours. Evidence-based nursing, ebnurs-2024. http://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2024-103951
Peat, G., Rodriguez, A., & Smith, J. (2023). ‘It is easier to not allow them to see your disability straight away, to see you as a person’: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of video gaming from the perspectives of men with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Palliative Medicine, 37 (7), 1016-1024. http://doi.org/10.1177/02692163231172246
Pinto, A., Rodriguez, A., & Smith, J. (2022). Researching sensitive topics in healthcare. Evidence-based nursing, 25 (2), 41-43. http://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2021-103501
Barrett, D., Rodriguez, A., & Smith, J. (2021). Producing a successful PhD thesis. Evidence-based nursing, 24 (1), 1-2. http://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2020-103376
Noble, H.R., & Smith, J. (2021). A review of common evidence review designs published in JAN; a 10-year review. Journal of advanced nursing, 77 (9), e21-e23. http://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14838
Smith, J., Ali, P., Birks, Y., Curtis, P., Fairbrother, H., Kirk, S., ... Swallow, V. (2020). 'Umbrella' review of family-focused care interventions supporting families where a family member has a long-term condition. Journal of Advanced Nursing. http://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14367
Rodriguez, A., Smith, J., & Barrett, D. (2020). Research made simple: developing complex interventions. Evidence-based nursing, 23 (2), 35-37. http://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2020-103261
Peat, G., Rodriguez, A., & Smith, J. (2019). Interpretive phenomenological analysis applied to healthcare research. Evidence-based nursing, 22 (1), 7-9. http://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2018-103017
Peat, G., Rodriguez, A., & Smith, J. (2019). Social media use in adolescents and young adults with serious illnesses: an integrative review. BMJ supportive & palliative care, 9 (3), 235-244. http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2018-001646
Smith, J., & Dransfield, A. (2019). Patient and carer involvement in healthcare education, service delivery and research: avoiding tokenism. Evidence-based nursing, 22 (3), 65-66. http://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2019-103105
Vasey, J., Smith, J., Kirshbaum, M.N., & Chirema, K. (2019). Tokenism or true partnership: Parental involvement in a child's acute pain care. Journal of clinical nursing, 28 (9-10), 1491-1505. http://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14747
Watts, L., Rodriguez, A., Tatterton, M., McSherry, W., & Smith, J. (2019). Meaning making And Generativity In Children and Young people with Life limiting conditions (MAGICYL). Evidence-based nursing, 22 (2), 33-35. http://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2019-103075
Smith, J., & Kendal, S. (2018). Parents' and Health Professionals' Views of Collaboration in the Management of Childhood Long-term Conditions. Journal of pediatric nursing, 43, 36-44. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2018.08.011
Foster, M., Smith, J., & Neill, S. (2018). Letter to Editor. Journal of pediatric nursing, 43, A9. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2018.10.019
Rodriguez, A., & Smith, J. (2018). Phenomenology as a healthcare research method. Evidence-based nursing, 21 (4), 96-98. http://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2018-102990
Coad, J., Smith, J., Pontin, D., & Gibson, F. (2018). Consult, Negotiate, and Involve: Evaluation of an Advanced Communication Skills Program for Health Care Professionals. Journal of pediatric oncology nursing : official journal of the Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses, 35 (4), 296-307. http://doi.org/10.1177/1043454218765136
Peat, G., Smith, J., & Rodriguez, A. (2018). Mobilising identity through social media: psychosocial support for young people with life-limiting conditions. Evidence-based nursing, 21 (3), 60-62. http://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2018-102938
Noble, H., & Smith, J. (2018). Reviewing the literature: choosing a review design. Evidence-based nursing, 21 (2), 39-41. http://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2018-102895
Stones, S.R., & Smith, J. (2018). Social media supremacy: a force of change paving the way for the next generation of healthcare and research. Evidence-based nursing, 21 (1), 2-3. http://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2017-102846
Waite-Jones, J.M., Majeed-Ariss, R., Smith, J., Stones, S.R., Van Rooyen, V., & Swallow, V. (2018). Young people's, parents', and professionals' views on required components of mobile apps to support self-management of juvenile arthritis: Qualitative study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 20 (1), e25. http://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.9179
Jones, J., & Smith, J. (2017). Ethnography: challenges and opportunities. Evidence-based nursing, 20 (4), 98-100. http://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2017-102786
Waite-Jones, J., Swallow, V., Smith, J., Stones, S., Majeed-Ariss, R., & van Rooyen, V. (2017). 017. Developing a mobile-app to aid young people’s self-management of chronic rheumatic disease: a qualitative study. Rheumatology, 56 (suppl_6). http://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/kex356.001
Smith, J., Shields, L., Neill, S., & Darbyshire, P. (2017). Losing the child's voice and 'the captive mother': an inevitable legacy of family-centred care? Evidence-based nursing, 20 (3), 67-69. http://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2017-102700
Shorten, A., & Smith, J. (2017). Mixed methods research: expanding the evidence base. Evidence-based nursing, 20 (3), 74-75. http://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2017-102699
Twycross, A., & Smith, J. (2017). Undertaking research with children and young people. Evidence-based nursing, 20 (2), 40-41. http://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2017-102619
Twycross, A., & Smith, J. (2017). Have you seen the Evidence-Based Nursing blog? Evidence-Based Nursing blogs: highlighting contemporary issues in nursing. Evidence-based nursing, 20 (1), 29-32. http://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2016-102563
Smith, J., & Milnes, L. (2016). Responding to, and learning from, peer review feedback. Nursing children and young people, 28 (9), 18. http://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.28.9.18.s20
Twycross, A., & Smith, J. (2016). Perspectives on current child health issues. Evidence-based nursing, 19 (4), 107-109. http://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2016-102462
Huby, K., & Smith, J. (2016). Relevance of social media to nurses and healthcare: 'to tweet or not to tweet'. Evidence-based nursing, 19 (4), 105-106. http://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2016-102476
Smith, J., & Milnes, L.J. (2016). Social media: the relevance for research. Evidence-based nursing, 19 (4), 99-100. http://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2016-102475
Pentin, J., Green, M., & Smith, J. (2016). Undertaking safe medicine administration with children part 2: essential numeracy. Nursing children and young people, 28 (7), 37-43. http://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.2016.e743
Pentin, J., Green, M., & Smith, J. (2016). Undertaking safe medicine administration with children: part 1. Nursing children and young people, 28 (6), 35-42. http://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.2016.e744
Smith, J., & Granger, K. (2016). Effective communicating starts with #hellomynameis. Evidence-based nursing, 19 (3), 68-69. http://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2016-102382
Garnett, V., Smith, J., & Ormandy, P. (2016). Child-parent shared decision making about asthma management. Nursing children and young people, 28 (4), 16-22. http://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.28.4.16.s20
Milnes, L., & Smith, J. (2016). Your path to research. Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987), 30 (34), 63. http://doi.org/10.7748/ns.30.34.63.s49
Smith, J., & Chudleigh, J. (2016). Research essentials. Nursing children and young people, 28 (2), 12. http://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.28.2.12.s14
Smith, J. (2016). How parents relate to adolescents living with a chronic disease. Nursing children and young people, 28 (1), 15. http://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.28.1.15.s21
Chudleigh, J., & Smith, J. (2016). Funding sources and grant applications. Nursing children and young people, 28 (1), 14. http://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.28.1.14.s20
Jones, J., Topping, A., Wattis, J., & Smith, J. (2016). A Concept Analysis of Spirituality in Occupational Therapy Practice. Journal for the Study of Spirituality, 6 (1), 38-57. http://doi.org/10.1080/20440243.2016.1158455
Smith, J., & Noble, H. (2016). Reviewing the literature. Evidence-based nursing, 19 (1), 2-3. http://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2015-102252
Twycross, A., & Smith, J. (2015). Shape of caring review: impact for children's nursing education. Evidence-based nursing, 18 (4), 105-106. http://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2015-102205
Noble, H., & Smith, J. (2015). Issues of validity and reliability in qualitative research. Evidence-based nursing, 18 (2), 34-35. http://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2015-102054
Chudleigh, J., & Smith, J. (2015). Research essentials. Nursing children and young people, 27 (3), 12. http://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.27.3.12.s13
Smith, J., & Chudleigh, J. (2015). Research essentials. Nursing children and young people, 27 (2), 14. http://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.27.2.14.s15
Smith, J. (2015). Parent-professional collaboration when a child presents with potential shunt malfunction. Nursing children and young people, 27 (1), 22-27. http://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.27.1.22.e519
Smith, J. (2015). Nurses should be open with parents about range of resources available. Nursing children and young people, 27 (1), 13. http://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.27.1.13.s16
Smith, J., Swallow, V., & Coyne, I. (2015). Involving parents in managing their child's long-term condition-a concept synthesis of family-centered care and partnership-in-care. Journal of pediatric nursing, 30 (1), 143-159. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2014.10.014
Smith, J. (2014). Efficacy of web resources in meeting parental need for information. Nursing children and young people, 26 (9), 13. http://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.26.9.13.s16
McNamee, M., & Smith, J. (2014). Research essentials: Implementing findings from clinical projects to influence practice. Nursing children and young people, 26 (9), 12. http://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.26.9.12.s14
Smith, J., & Noble, H. (2014). Bias in research. Evidence-based nursing, 17 (4), 100-101. http://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2014-101946
Owens, D., Smith, J., & Jonas, D. (2014). Evaluating students' knowledge of child pain and its management after attending a bespoke course. Nursing children and young people, 26 (2), 34-40. http://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp2014.03.26.2.34.e334
Smith, J., & Cappleman, J. (2014). Research essentials. Nursing children and young people, 26 (1), 12. http://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp2014.02.26.1.12.s15
Noble, H., & Smith, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: a practical example. Evidence-based nursing, 17 (1), 2-3. http://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2013-101603
Smith, J., & Firth, J. (2011). Qualitative data analysis: the framework approach. Nurse researcher, 18 (2), 52-62. http://doi.org/10.7748/nr2011.01.18.2.52.c8284
Smith, J., Bekker, H., & Cheater, F. (2011). Theoretical versus pragmatic design in qualitative research. Nurse researcher, 18 (2), 39-51. http://doi.org/10.7748/nr2011.01.18.2.39.c8283
Smith, J., Cheater, F., Chatwin, J., & Bekker, H. (2009). Parent's involvement in decisions when their child is admitted to hospital with suspected shunt malfunction: study protocol. Journal of advanced nursing, 65 (10), 2198-2207. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2009.05099.x
Fallon, S., Smith, J., Morgan, S., Stoner, M., & Austin, C. (2008). 'Pizza, patients and points of view': Involving young people in the design of a post registration module entitled the adolescent with cancer. Nurse education in practice, 8 (2), 140-147. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2007.07.005
Smith, J. (2007). Review: Phenomenological exploration of the patient learning experiences of 16—19 year-old women accessing a young peoples rheumatology service in the UK. Journal of Research in Nursing, 12 (5), 535-537. http://doi.org/10.1177/1744987107079580
McSherry, W., & Smith, J. (2007). How do children express their spiritual needs? Paediatric nursing, 19 (3), 17-20. http://doi.org/10.7748/paed.19.3.17.s20
Smith, J., & Dearmun, A. (2006). Improving care for children requiring surgery and their families. Paediatric nursing, 18 (9), 30-33. http://doi.org/10.7748/paed.18.9.30.s21
Smith, J., & Truscott, J. (2006). Commentary on Khorshid L, Eşer I, Zaybak A and Yapucu U (2005). Comparing mercury-in-glass, tympanic and disposable thermometers in measuring body temperature in healthy young people. Journal of Clinical Nursing 14, 496-500. Journal of clinical nursing, 15 (10), 1343-1345. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2006.01269.x
Robshaw, M., & Smith, J. (2004). Keeping afloat: student nurses' experiences following assignment referral. Nurse education today, 24 (7), 511-520. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2004.06.004
Robshaw, M., & Smith, J. (2004). Concerned about confidentiality? The child protection jigsaw. Paediatric nursing, 16 (5), 36-38. http://doi.org/10.7748/paed2004.06.16.5.36.c926
Smith, J., & McSherry, W. (2004). Spirituality and child development: a concept analysis. Journal of advanced nursing, 45 (3), 307-315. http://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.2003.02891.x
Smith, J., & Long, T. (2002). Confusing rhetoric with reality: achieving a balanced skill mix of nurses working with children. Journal of advanced nursing, 40 (3), 258-266. http://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.2002.02367.x
Book chapters
Jones, J., Smith, J., & McSherry, W. (2017). Spiritually Competent Practice in Health Care: What Is It and What Does It Look Like? In Spiritually Competent Practice in Health Care. (pp. 35-52). CRC Press: http://doi.org/10.1201/9781315188638-3
Jones, J., Smith, J., & McSherry, W. (2017). Spirituality in Acute Health Care Settings. In Spiritually Competent Practice in Health Care. (pp. 99-114). CRC Press: http://doi.org/10.1201/9781315188638-7
Other publications
Rodriguez, A., Smith, J., & Barrett, D. (2020). What are the foundations of a good PhD? http://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2020-103353
Other activities
I have extensive journal editorial experiences including previous roles as associate editor for Evidence-Based Nursing (led the journals social media strategy) and editorial board member for Nursing Children and Young People. In addition to being invited to reviews articles, in recognition of expertise in relation to long-term conditions in children, in a range of health related journals, I have been a reviewer for Journal of Advanced Nursing since 1997.
Nurse representative for several National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) inquiries including, children with neurodisability (2018) and outcomes and deaths in children during the peri-operative care period (2011).
Review grants for several organisations such as British Kidney Patient Association, PSI foundation, The General Nursing Council Trust and UK hospital charitable funding.
I was the co-founder of the International Forum for Child and Family-Centred Care, set up in 2016 (currently 53 members across 14 countries). This forum has already culminated in a range of outputs with international colleagues including presentations and publications and supporting PhD students undertaking research in child / family-centred care.
Other international recognition has included: Invited to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Best Brain Exchange workshop to explore the underpinning evidence of models of care for children with complex needs; Invited to undertake a range of lectures and workshops relating to research with families at Aarhus University and Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, funded by a successful ERASMUS application; review abstracts for the prestigious International Family Nursing Association and International Shared-Decision Making Conference, and chair of the local organising committee for the 2nd Pediatric Nurses Association of Europe Congress.
Postgraduate supervision
I supervise postgraduate student dissertations from a range of health professional backgrounds undertaking Masters / MRes programmes of study.
I currently supervise three PhD students and have supervised six students to completion. Proposals from children’s nurses are most welcome.
I have been the external examiner for 10 PhDs students.