Dr Pamela McKay

Lecturer
pamela.mckay@uhi.ac.uk
01463 279043

Biography

Pamela McKay

Dr Pamela McKay is a staff nurse as well as a part time lecturer at the university of the Highlands and Islands. She has worked in clinical practice for 22 years in the surgical specialities in NHS Highland. Pamela’s nursing experience include Acute surgical receiving, Vascular, Urology, Colorectal, Hepatobiliary and Enhanced Recovery. Whilst seconded as a Practice Education Facilitator for NHS Highland, she was responsible for educating, supporting, and developing the role of the Nursing Assistant. These experiences developed an interest in higher nurse education, leading her to undertake a MSc in Nursing.

Pamela has 12 years’ experience as the Musculoskeletal Audit Nurse for NHS Highland. Areas of focus were the Enhanced Recovery Programme for patients undergoing arthroplasty for knees and hips, reviewing services for the spinal patient, and the Hip fracture pathway. These audits were undertaken as part of the national Strategy set out by the Scottish Orthopaedic Service Development Group.

While developing her role Pamela had the opportunity of a Studentship at the University of the West of Scotland to undertake PhD research. During this time, she developed an interest in the long-term conditions, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Fibromyalgia (FM). An area of research which is gathering more interest because of the COVID pandemic.

Research

  • PhD Studentship Quantitative methods. Title: An Exploratory study into the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Fibromyalgia (FM)
  • Msc Nursing Dissertation Qualitative methods. Title: The Early Identification of a Patient’s Deteriorating Condition on General Wards to Prevent a Requirement for Resuscitation: Nurses Perceived Learning Needs.

Grants

  • Competitive Scholarship £2,700 from: The Florence Nightingale Foundation and The Band Trust Research Scholarship. 2008-2009/ 2014.
  • Competitive Scholarship £2,000 from The Florence Nightingale and the Burdett Trust for Nursing Research, 2005-2006

Publications

McKay, P. G., Martin, C. R., Walker, H. and Fleming, M (2021) Exploratory Study into the relationship between the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) /Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Fibromyalgia (FM) using a quasi experimental design. February 2021. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/bmjopen-2020-041947

McKay, P. G., Martin, C. R., Walker, H. and Fleming, M (2019) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/) Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Fibromyalgia (FM): The foundation of a relationship. British Journal of Pain (2019) https://doi.org/10.1177/2049463719875164

McKay, P. G and Martin, C. R. (2010) Quality of life issues in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. In: Preedy, V. R. and Watson, R. R. (ed) Handbook of Disease Burdens and Quality of Life Measures, USA: Springer, pp. 1854-1866.

McKay, P. G., Duffy, T. and Martin, C. R. (2009) Are Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia the Same? Implications for the provision of appropriate mental health intervention. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. Vol. 16, (10), pp. 884-894.

Posters

An Exploratory study into the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Fibromyalgia (FM). November 2017 Centre for Health Sciences Research Day.

Conference

Exploratory Study into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Fibromyalgia. November 2017 Centre for Health Sciences Research Day.

Are Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia the same or different? November 2013 Florence Nightingale Presentation Day, Girdlers Hall London.

Identify early a patient’s deteriorating condition on the general ward to prevent a requirement for resuscitation:  Nurses perceived Learning Needs. November 2007 Florence Nightingale Presentation Day, Girdlers Hall London.

Qualifications

  • PhD University of the West of Scotland (2017)
  • MSc Glasgow Caledonian University (2007)
  • BA (Hons) Glasgow Caledonian University (2000)
  • RN (Adult)
  • Specialist Practice Qualification (Adult Nursing)

Professional bodies

  • Nursing and Midwifery Council

Responsibilities

  • Deputy Module Leader
  • Personal Academic Supervisor
  • Academic Assessor

Expertise

  • Nursing Care
  • Clinical Skills
  • Clinical Education
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia