
Dr Tessa Watts
Senior Lecturer: Adult Nursing
- wattst1@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44(0)29 225 10963
- 13.14, Eastgate House, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0AB
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
I am a researcher, qualified teacher and registered nurse (adult field) with a clinical background in palliative and end of life care in advanced cancer and a Senior Lecturer in the School of Healthcare Sciences at Cardiff University.
In my research I work with multiprofessional researchers, healthcare professionals and members of the public, nationally and internationally. Currently I am leading the investigation of people's experiences of being treated with cancer immunotherapy and healthcare professionals education and training needs in relation to these exciting treatments. I am also leading a study investigating the impact of COVID-19 on Nurses in Wales in collaboration with Public Health Wales and Health for Health Professionals Wales and the Welsh arm of a UK wide study investigating factors that help promote resilience and support the clinical education of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic which is funded by the ESRC.
I am an Honorary Professor at Swansea University and Editor for the international peer reviewed journal, Nurse Education in Practice.
Biography
I have an academic grounding in the social and political sciences and nursing and am an active qualitative researcher, publishing, making conference presentations with a focus on palliative care, chronic illness/conditions, most particularly advanced cancer and examining at doctoral level. I am particularly interested in care and support for people living with advanced cancer and those approaching the very end of life. I review grant applications for the NIHR Research for Patient Benefit Scheme and Tenovus. In 2018 I was invited to join the Scientific Review Panel for the International Nursing Education Conference (NET/NEP). I regularly review for several journals as detailed on my publons account.
December 2019 - Honorary Professor Swansea University
September 2018 - current: Senior Lecturer Cardiff University, School of Healthcare Sciences.
2003- 2018 - Associate Professor, College of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University
In this post I also held College and Institutional senior stategic leadership roles in education including: Deputy Chair, Swansea University Programme Approval Committee (2015-2018); College Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies) (2014-2015); Programme Director Professional Doctorate (2016-2018); Programme Director MSc Long Term and Chronic Conditions Managment (2009-2018); Programme Director BSc Cancer Care (2009-2014); College Strategic Lead Recruitment and Admissions (2009-2015), College Strategic Lead Widening participation and inclusion (2008-2105); Acting Head of Nursing and Midwifery (2004 -2006); BN Programme Director (all fields) (2003-2009). I represented Swansea University on the All Wales Fitness for Practice Nursing education steering comittee between 2004 and 2009.
1996-2003 - Senior Lecturer, Swansea University.
Lecturer in Nursing Theory; initiated, developed and led the first BSc in Palliative Nursing (with spq) in Wales and Swansea’s first BSc Cancer Nursing and multiprofessional Cancer Care programmes. Module Leader Post registration Death Dying and Bereavement.
Editorial Board member for Nurse Education in Practice between 2014 and 2019.
Honours and awards
Honorary Professor Swansea University 2019
Associate Editor Nurse Education in Practice 2019
Advance HE National Teaching Fellow Nominee 2018 (Swansea University)
International travel fellowship College of Human and Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Swansea University 2017 – visited School of Nursing at Sydney University and University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Faculty of Health/ Centre for Cardiovascular and Chronic Care
Professional memberships
Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy
Academic positions
2003-2018 Associate Professor, College of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University
1996-2003 Senior Lecturer, Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Swansea University.
Speaking engagements
Invited speaker, Notre Dame University, Freemantle Campus, Perth, Western Australia (2020)
Invited speaker Macmillan Cancer Support Professionals' Conference, Manchester (2019)
Invited seminar presentation University Technology Sydney, Centre for Cardiovascular and Chronic Care (2017).
Committees and reviewing
- Associate Editor Nurse Education in Practice (from 2019)
- Editorial Board, Nurse Education in Practice (from 2014)
- Grant reviewer, Tenovus Cancer Care
- Grant reviewer, Research for Public and Patient Benefit (England)
Publications
2020
- Csontos, J., Roche, D. and Watts, T. 2020. Exploring cancer rehabilitation services in South Wales: qualitative understanding from the perspectives of people affected by cancer and healthcare professionals. Physiotherapy 107(S1), pp. E32-E33. (10.1016/j.physio.2020.03.046)
- Jennings, S.et al. 2020. 'We've just had to hit the ground running': Health professionals' experiences of cancer immunotherapy: A qualitative study. Presented at: NCRI Virtual Showcase 2020, Virtual, 2-3 November 2020.
2019
- Watts, T.et al. 2019. Death Rattle: reassuring harbinger of imminent death or a perfect example of inadequacies in evidence-based practice. Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care 13(4), pp. 380-383. (10.1097/SPC.0000000000000463)
- Watts, T. E. and Bower, J. 2019. Lost in transition: experiences following initial systemic anti-cancer treatment completion for haematological cancers in Wales, UK. Presented at: International Conference on Cancer Nurses 2021 Virtual Conference (ICCN2021), Virtual, 2-5 February 2021ecancermedicalscience, Vol. 13. Vol. 985. European Institute of Oncology, (10.3332/ecancer.2019.985)
- Francis-Coad, J.et al. 2019. Evaluation of older people's knowledge, awareness, motivation and perceptions about falls and falls prevention in residential aged care homes: a tale of two cities. Ageing and Society 39(11), pp. 2541-2559. (10.1017/S0144686X18000697)
- Csontos, J., Roche, D. and Watts, T. 2019. Exploring cancer rehabilitation services in South Wales: qualitative understanding from the perspectives of people affected by cancer and healthcare professionals.. Presented at: Physiotherapy UK, Glasgow, UK, 1-2 November 2019.
- Csontos, J.et al. 2019. Secondary analysis of routinely collected data from a specialist cancer rehabilitation service in South Wales, UK. Presented at: 2019 National Cancer Research Institute Conference, Glasgow, UK, 3-5 November 2019.
- Csontos, J., Roche, D. and Watts, T. 2019. Exploring cancer rehabilitation services in South Wales: a qualitative understanding from perspectives of people affected by cancer and healthcare professionals. Presented at: Physiotherapy UK 2019, Birmingham, UK, 1-2 November 2019.
- Csontos, J.et al. 2019. Secondary analysis of routinely collected data from a specialist cancer rehabilitation service in South Wales, UK. Presented at: NCRI 2019, Glasgow, UK, 3-5 November 2019.
- Csontos, J., Roche, D. and Watts, T. 2019. Qualitative exploration of cancer rehabilitation in South Wales, UK from the perspectives of people affected by cancer and healthcare professionals. Presented at: NCRI 2019, Glasgow, UK, 3-5 November 2019.
- Williams, S., Mashlan, W. and Watts, T. 2019. How nurses can support informal carers of people living with dementia. Nursing Older People 31(5), pp. 30-33. (10.7748/nop.2019.e1181)
- Csontos, J., Roche, D. and Watts, T. 2019. Barriers and facilitators to cancer rehabilitation services in South Wales, UK: Perspectives of oncology healthcare professionals. Presented at: RCN International Nursing Research Conference, Sheffield Hallam University, UK, 3-5 Sep 2019. pp. -.
- Watts, T.et al. 2019. ‘it was as if the dots hadn’t been joined up’: Bereaved families’experiences of end of life care in acute stroke wards: a qualitative investigation [Abstract]. European Stroke Journal 4(1S), pp. 586-586. (10.1177/2396987319845581)
- Watts, T.et al. 2019. 'It was as if the dots hadn't been joined up': bereaved families experiences of end of life care on an acute stroke ward: a qualitative investigation. Presented at: European Stroke Organisation Conference, Milan, Italy, 22-24 May 2019European Stroke Journal, Vol. 4. Vol. S1. SAGE Publications pp. AS17-021., (10.1177/2396987319845581)
- Csontos, J. K.et al. 2019. Realist evaluation of cancer rehabilitation services in South Wales (REEACaRS): a mixed methods study protocol. BMJ Open 9(4), article number: e025953. (10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025953)
- Csontos, J.et al. 2019. The perception and operation of cancer rehabilitation services in South Wales from healthcare professionals' perspective: a qualitative study. Presented at: Optimising Healthcare Research Quality, Cardiff University, 10 Apr 2019.
- Watts, T. 2019. Bereaved families' experiences of end-of-life care in the acute stroke setting in Wales, UK: a qualitative interview study. Presented at: RCN International Nursing Research Conference, Sheffield Hallam University, UK, 3-5th September 2019. pp. -.
- Watts, T. and Bower, J. 2019. Still lost in transition: a qualitative descriptive study of people's experiences following treatment completion for haematological cancer in Wales, UK. ecancermedicalscience 13, article number: 895. (10.3332/ecancer.2019.985)
2018
- Tajic, A.et al. 2018. The effect of Tai Chi on quality of life in male older people: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 33, pp. 191-196. (10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.10.009)
- Csontos, J.et al. 2018. The perception and operation of cancer rehabilitation services in South Wales from healthcare professionals' perspective: a qualitative study. Presented at: Crossing Boundaries in Cancer Care UKONS Annual Conference 2018, Glasgow, 16-17 November 2018.
- Watts, T. 2018. Four cornerstones of lymphoedema care. Nursing and Residential Care 20(7), pp. 310-318. (10.12968/nrec.2018.20.7.310)
- Watts, T. and Francis-Coad, J. 2018. Falls and falls prevention in residential care: perspectives of older people in Western Australia and Wales, UK.. Presented at: RCN International Nursing Research Conference, Birmingham, UK, 16-18 April 2018.
- Coad, J. F.et al. 2018. Australian and Welsh care home residents' views about falls and falls prevention. Presented at: Eight Biennial Australian and NEw Zealand Falls Prevention Conference, Hobart, Tasmania, 18-20 November 2018.
- Watts, T., Bower, J. and Samuel, H. M. 2018. The needs and concerns of adult haematology patients on completion of initial active chemotherapy treatment in West Wales: a qualitative investigation. Presented at: Crossing Boundaries in Cancer Care, Glasgow, 16th - 17th November 2018.
- Watts, T. 2018. Falls and falls prevention in residential care: perspectives of older people in Western Australia and Wales UK. Presented at: Royal College of Nursing International Nursing Research Conference, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 16-18 April 2018. pp. -.
2017
- Watts, T. and Davies, R. 2017. Chronic oedema "on-the-ground" education programme. British Journal of Community Nursing 22(11), pp. 526-534. (10.12968/bjcn.2017.22.11.526)
- Watts, T.et al. 2017. Evaluation of older people's knowledge, awareness, motivation and perceptions about falls and falls prevention in residential aged care homes: A tale of two cities. Presented at: Welsh Public Health Conference, Newport, Wales, UK, 26-27 October 2017.
- Francis-Coad, J.et al. 2017. Evaluation of older people’s knowledge, motivation and perceptions about falls and falls prevention in residential aged care homes across continents: “A tale of two cities”.. Presented at: British Society of Gerontology Conference, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom, 5-7 July 2017.
2016
- Watts, T. and Davies, R. 2016. A qualitative national focus group study of the experience of living with lymphoedema and accessing local multiprofessional lymphoedema clinics. Journal of Advanced Nursing 72(12), pp. 3147-3158. (10.1111/jan.13071)
- Arthur, J.et al. 2016. An exploratory study identifying a possible response shift phenomena of the Glasgow hearing aid benefit profile. Audiology Research 6(2), pp. 44-48. (10.4081/audiores.2016.152)
- Watts, T. 2016. Types of review and their purpose. In: Glasper, A. and Rees, C. eds. Nursing and Healthcare Research at a Glance. Wiley Blackwell, pp. 4-6.
- Watts, T.et al. 2016. An analysis of hearing aid use: data logging as an adjunct with the Glasgow Hearing Benefit Profile Questionnaire. Journal of the Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology 49, pp. 27-33.
2014
- Watts, T. and Davies, R. 2014. Tensions and ambiguities: A qualitative study of final year adult field nursing students' experiences of caring for people affected by advanced dementia in Wales, UK. Nurse Education Today 34(8), pp. 1149-1154. (10.1016/j.nedt.2014.04.012)
- Watts, T. 2014. Final-year nursing undergraduates’ understandings of palliative care: a qualitative study in Wales, UK. International Journal of Palliative Nursing 20(6), pp. 285-293. (10.12968/ijpn.2014.20.6.285)
- Watts, T. 2014. Secondary breast cancer: the role of primary care nurses. Practice Nurse 44(5), pp. 36-41.
2013
- Watts, T. E. 2013. Big ideas: 'Les Rites De Passage' Arnold Van Gennep 1909. Nurse Education Today 33(4), pp. 312-313. (10.1016/j.nedt.2012.09.010)
- Watts, T. 2013. End-of-life care pathways and nursing: a literature review. Journal of Nursing Management 21(1), pp. 47-57. (10.1111/j.1365-2834.2012.01423.x)
- Watts, T. 2013. The media critique of the Liverpool Care Pathway: some implications for nursing education. International Journal of Palliative Nursing 19(6), pp. 275-280. (10.12968/ijpn.2013.19.6.275)
- Watts, T. 2013. Primary breast cancer: an overview and update. Practice Nurse 43(2), pp. 36-42.
2012
- Watts, T. 2012. End-of-life care pathways as tools to promote and support a good death: a critical commentary. European Journal of Cancer Care 21(1), pp. 20-30. (10.1111/j.1365-2354.2011.01301.x)
- Watts, T. 2012. Initiating end-of-life care pathways: a discussion paper. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(10), pp. 2359-2370. (10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05924.x)
- Allen, M. and Watts, T. 2012. Promoting health and wellbeing at the end of life: the contribution of care pathways. International Journal of Palliative Nursing 18(7), pp. 348-354. (10.12968/ijpn.2012.18.7.348)
2011
- Watts, T. 2011. Support on schedule. Nursing Standard 25(40), pp. 61. (10.7748/ns2011.06.25.40.61.p5527)
- Watts, T. E. 2011. Supporting undergraduate nursing students through structured personal tutoring: some reflections. Nurse Education Today 31(2), pp. 214-218. (10.1016/j.nedt.2010.06.005)
- Watts, T. 2011. Caring for cancer survivors. Practice Nurse 41(12), pp. 40-45.
2010
- Watts, T. 2010. Chronic conditions management. In: Kell, C. and Helme, M. eds. Interprofessional Education in Wales: case studies in health and social care.. London: Higher Education Academy
2004
- Watts, T.et al. 2004. Breast health information needs of women from minority ethnic groups. Journal of Advanced Nursing 47(5), pp. 526-535. (10.1111/j.1365-2648.2004.03125.x)
2001
- Watts, T.et al. 2001. Methodologies analysing individual practice in health care: a systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing 35(2), pp. 238-256. (10.1046/j.1365-2648.2001.01841.x)
1999
- Watts, T. and Jenkins, K. 1999. Palliative care nurses' feelings about death rattle. Journal of Clinical Nursing 8(5), pp. 615-616. (10.1046/j.1365-2702.1999.0270a.x)
1997
- Watts, T., Jenkins, K. and Back, I. 1997. Problem and management of noisy rattling breathing in dying patients. International Journal of Palliative Nursing 3(5), pp. 245-252. (10.12968/ijpn.1997.3.5.245)
Teaching
I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and was an Advance HE National Teaching Fellow Nominee in 2018 when I was still working at Swansea University. I have designed, developed, validated and led full and part time pre and post registration professional body-approved programmes in Palliative Nursing, Cancer Nursing, Undergraduate Pre-Registration Nursing (adult; mental health and child fields) and multi professional post graduate programmes: Long Term and Chronic Conditions Management and a Professional Doctorate. I now teach, supervise and examine at pre-registration undergraduate, taught postgraduate and doctoral levels.
My current, specific, module responsibilities are:
- MSc Advanced Practice: Understanding Cancer: Patient and professional perspectives HCT 150
- MSc Advanced Practice: Introduction to research methods HCT 206
- MSc Advanced Practice: Research methods and data analysis in healthcare HCT 343
- BSc Nursing: Evaluation of care: HC 3288
I am also a personal tutor for undergraduate pre-registration nursing students (adult field)
I enjoy collaborating and working with multiprofessional researchers, healthcare professionals and member of the public in my research. I am an active member of the School's Optimising wellbeing and the management of long term conditions research theme and the Healthcare Cancer Research group.
Research projects
Current funded projects
The mental health impacts on RN's of caring throughout COVID-19 and the feasibility and acceptablility of the Health for Health Professionals Wales interventions to RN's as a resource for moral distress. Burdett Trust for Nursing funded (Dr Tessa Watts (CI), Professor Christine Bundy (Cardiff University), Dr Sally Anstey (Cardiff University), Dr Dean Whybrow (Cardiff University), Dr Richard Kyle (Public Health Wales), Professor Jonathan Bisson (Cardiff University), Ms Naomi Marfell (Health for Health Professionals Wales), Dr Thomas Kitchen (Health for Health Professionals Wales). Announcing £1.2 million of grants awarded under our COVID-19 Supporting Nursing Resilience programme – The Burdett Trust for Nursing (btfn.org.uk)
Investigating how nurse education prior to and during Covid prepares nurses for the pandemic: an analysis of what works. ESRC/UKRI funded (Dr Mary Malone (CI) Oxford Brookes University, Professor Eila Watson, Oxford Brookes University, Professor Jane Appleton, Oxford Brookes University, Dr Cathy Henshall, Oxford Brookes University, Professor Danny Kelly, Cardiff University, Professor Dame Anne Marie Rafferty, Kings College London, Dr Lynn Sayer, Kings College London, Professor Caroline Bradbury Jones, Birmingham University, Professor Laura Serrant, Manchester Metropolitan University, Dr Michael Ramsey, University of Dundee, Professor Sonia McIlfatrick, University of Ulster. https://www.brookes.ac.uk/about-brookes/news/covid19-research-into-student-nurse-experiences/
Experiences of cancer immunotherapy with immune-checkpoint inhibitors. I am leading a multiprofessional team of academic researchers, clinicians and members of the public. (Dr Tessa Watts (CI), Stephen Jennings, Professor Deborah Fitzsimmons-Warm (Swansea University), Emeritus Professor Debbie Fenlon (Swansea University), Dr Sally Anstey (Cardiff University), Dr Alison Brewster (Hywel Dda University Health Board), Ms Janet Richards (Hywel Dda University Health Board), Mr John Buckman) (Service User Representative). Macmillan Cancer Support funded https://www.macmillan.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/evidence/research-funding/funded-research.html#295346
The community and economic impact of multidimensional cancer rehabilitation interventions in supporting people to live well with and after their cancer: PhD studentship (Macmillan Cancer Support/College of Human and Health Sciences/ Cardiff University) (Dr Tessa Watts (CI))
Completed projects
2018: Scoping and evaluation for professional stoma care education programme development (Eakin Healthcare) (Dr Tessa Watts (CI) Dr Liv Kosnes (CI) (Swansea University College of Human and Health Sciences), Dr Louise Cleobury (Swansea University School of Medicine)
2018: Reducing falls in residential and aged care homes (Notre Dame University, Perth Western Australia) (Dr Jacqui Francis Coad (CI) (Curtin University, Western Australia) Professor Anne-Marie Hill (Curtin University,Western Australia), Professor Caroline Bulsara (Notre Dame University, Western Australia), Dr Tessa Watts (Cardiff University), Michelle Anderson (Swansea)
2017: Pre-Registration nursing students end of life care education (Swansea University School of Education seed corn funding) (Dr Tessa Watts (CI))
2017 Advance care planning in acute major/severe stroke (Stroke Research and Innovation Fund) (Dr Tessa Watts (PI), Dr Mushtaq Wani (Swansea Bay University Health Board), Dr Manju Krishnan (Swansea Bay University Health Board).
2016 The needs and concerns of adult haematology patients on completion of initial active chemotherapy treatment in West Wales: A mixed methods investigation (Research Capacity Building Cymru) (Dr Tessa Watts, Ms Janet Richards (Hywel Dda Universith Health Board), Mrs Heulwen Morgan Samuel (Swansea University College of Human and Health Sciences)
2016 Evaluation of the ‘On-the-Ground’ Educational Programme (OEGP): Improving efficiency and effectiveness in managing chronic oedema in community settings (NHS Wales Collaborative/Public Health Wales) (Dr Tessa Watts)
2014 Sustaining connections during practice placements: Supporting first-year nursing students using Skype© (Swansea Academy for Learning and Teaching small project grant) (2014: Dr Tessa Watts (CI), Mr Hywel Thomas, Ms Lauren Piercey and Ms Elen Davies)
2013: A three counties pilot study of ‘Cyfeillion Gweldda’ Dining Companions for patients with dementia. (Hywel Dda Health Board) (Dr Ruth Davies (CI), Tessa Watts, Mr Tom Alexander, Ms Andrea Higgins)
2011: Coping interventions for couples living with prostate cancer (Swansea University PhD Scholarship) (Professor Jaynie Rance, Professor Deborah Fitzsimmons, Professor Paul Bennett and Tessa Watts)
2010: Patient reported Outcomes in Cancer Rehabilitation (College of Human and Health Science PhD Scholarship) (Professor Jaynie Rance, Professor Deborah Fitzsimmons and Tessa Watts)
2009: Structured personal tutoring to engage undergraduate students on professional programmes (Higher Education Academy) (Tessa Watts, Mike McIvor, Andrew Evered, Angela Williams)
2001: A review of the literature relating to the health information needs of minority ethnic groups (Public Health Strategy Division of the National Assembly for Wales) (Professor Joy Merrell, Tessa Watts and Angela Williams)
2000: A systematic review to evaluate the current level of knowledge on methodologies analysing individual practice which could be used to assist the assessment of health care roles and responsibilities (NHS Wales Office of Research and Development) (Professor Anne Williams, Professor Paul Wainwright, Tessa Watts, Dr Melanie Jones, Dr Ian Russell, Dr Christine Urquart, Rosemary Currell and Mark Lambert)
Supervision
I am an experienced postgraduate supervisor and have supervised many students to timely completion of their dissertations at postgraduate (MSc) and doctoral level (PhD and Professional Doctorate), examined internally and externally.
I am committed to growing research capacity and capability within nursing and allied health professionals and welcome research degree applications from potential students who are particularly interested in further exploring aspects of people’s experiences of advanced cancer/ end of life care using qualitative methodologies and drawing on the social sciences.
I am interested in supervising PhD students in the areas of:
- People's experiences of chronic illness
- Cancer nursing, notably supportive care
- People's experiences of cancer treatments and supportive care - particularly Immunotherapies
- Moral distress in nursing
- Nursing education
I have skills in qualitative research methods, particularly ethnography.
Current supervision
Past projects
- Amal Albatini (Swansea University) Effects of rehabilitation on cardiac patients' health related quality of life in Kuwait: role of exercise, cultural and social factors (PhD awarded 2020)
- First supervisor Jonathan Arthur (Swansea University) An exploratory mixed-methods investigation of adult hearing aid users and the relationships of hearing aid use with anxiety, depression, loneliness, and social inclusion. (PhD awarded 2020)
- First supervisor Melanie Thomas (Swansea University) The impact of the lymphoedema risk reducing recommendations on people treated for breast cancer and the implications on clinical practice. (Professional Doctorate awarded 2018)
- Supervisory team member Amina Mehta (Swansea University) Exploring Journeys for Older People with Cancer in South West Wales. (PhD awarded 2015)
- Cheryl Pike (Swansea University) Can 3D camera imaging provied improved information to assess and manage lymphoedema in clinical practice? (Professional Doctorate)