Dr Ian Davies Abbott
Lecturer in Healthcare Sciences (Mental Health Nursing)
Overview
Ian has a background in mental health nursing and is currently a researcher and lecturer at Bangor University. Ian is particularly interested in qualitative approaches with a background of applying Appreciative Inquiry, positioning theory and semi-structured interviews within his research. Ian is interested in how language constructs accepted realities that result in positive and negative social actions and how these realities can be challenged. The primary focus of his research has been the lived experience of people living with dementia and giving a voice to seldom heard groups.
His PhD reconfigured the Appreciative Inquiry methodology to support a group of people living with dementia to design a short film, which was then used to positively influence the language used by others about dementia.
Ian is a co-lead for the work package, Environments of Ageing as a member of the Centre for Ageing & Dementia Research (CADR) and is a principal investigator in the Celtic Advanced Life Science Innovation Network (CALIN) project. The CALIN project connects business, academia and healthcare with experts from six leading universities across Ireland and Wales. The network provides small to medium enterprises access to technology, scientific expertise, and a network of life science innovators to support the development of products, processes and services, with Bangor University leading on the health and wellbeing theme.
Ian is involved in supporting Public Health Wales regarding the All Wales Dementia Care Pathway of Standards, focussing on standard 16: Dementia Care Mapping (DCM). Ian was the author of the Welsh national strategy and implementation guide for DCM, published in 2022. During the covid-19 pandemic, Ian was involved in a study which used DCM to gain an insight into experiences on mental health wards during lockdown. Another research project explored the experience of a person living in a care home with dementia during lockdown. Ian is currently leading a project funded by Improvement Cymru to explore how the DCM model can be applied to clinical case note writing about people living with dementia.
Ian is a researcher on the Rare Dementia Impact Study and leads a study exploring the referral pathways for people living with dementia in Wales. He also leads the Rare Dementia Support in Wales group, which is a monthly on-line support group for people affected by rare types of dementia in Wales.
Ian has previously completed a Small Business Research Initiative project which attempted to provide an innovative solution to the acute anxiety often experienced by people living with dementia when travelling to and attending hospital appointments. Many of his projects have resulted in outcomes that have value beyond the study itself, including the development of new pathways for people living with dementia who are admitted to older person’s mental health wards, health board policies regarding sexual safety and the development of the first published guidance for clinicians working with transgender people living with dementia.
Ian leads the MSc Dementia and is a supervisor to MSc and PhD students. He has spoken at national and international conferences regarding his research and has a record of delivering educational and organisational development workshops, using Appreciative Inquiry, with external stakeholders.
Publications
2022
- PublishedPeople living with dementia using Appreciative Inquiry to challenge discourse
Davies Abbott, I., Huws, J. & Williams, S., Jun 2022. 1 p.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster - PublishedThe Development of Videoconference-Based Support for People Living With Rare Dementias and Their Carers: Protocol for a 3-Phase Support Group Evaluation
Waddington, C., Harding, E., Brotherhood, E., Davies Abbott, I., Barker, S., Camic, P., Ezeofor, V., Gardner, H., Grillo, A., Hardy, C., Hoare, Z., McKee-Jackson, R., Moore, K., O'Hara, T., Roberts, J., Rossi-Harries, S., Suarez-Gonzalez, A., Sullivan, M. P., Edwards, R. T., Van Der Byl Williams, M., Walton, J., Willoughby, A., Windle, G., Winrow, E., Wood, O., Zimmermann, N., Crutch, S. & Stott, J., 20 Jul 2022, In: JMIR Research Protocols. 11, 7, 13 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2021
- PublishedDementia care from behind the mask? Maintaining well-being during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions: Observations from Dementia Care Mapping on NHS mental health hospital wards in Wales
Page, S., Davies Abbott, I. & Jones, A., Dec 2021, In: Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. 28, 6, p. 961-969 9 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedLiving in a care home during COVID-19: A case study of one person living with dementia
Davies Abbott, I., Jones, C. H. & Windle, G., 10 Dec 2021, In: Quality in Ageing and Older Adults. 22, 3-4, p. 147-158
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2020
- PublishedSame map, different direction - Exploring new opportunities that dementia care mapping (TM) can offer to acute mental health admission wards for older people - Innovative practice
Page, S., Davies Abbott, I. & Phillips, M., 1 Feb 2020, In: Dementia. 19, 2, p. 433-437
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article - PublishedToday we Talked: A novel approach to overcoming barriers to sexual safety on mental health wards
Page, S., Davies Abbott, I., Carr, T., O'Hara, A., Forsyth, S. & Charles, D., Oct 2020, In: Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. 27, 5, p. 669-674
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2018
- PublishedHealthcare guidelines on caring for transgender people with dementia
Davies Abbott, I., Page, S., Roberts, D. & Burgess, J., 2018, In: Journal of Dementia Care. 26, 6
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
2017
- PublishedCare to Talk? A framework for appreciative concerns about dementia – Innovative Practice
Page, S., Rowett, R. & Davies Abbott, I., 2017, In: Dementia. 16, 8, p. 1069-1074
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2016
- PublishedTransgender, Mental Health, and Older People: An Appreciative Approach Towards Working Together
Page, S., Burgess, J., Davies Abbott, I., Roberts, D. & Molderson, J., Dec 2016, In: Issues in Mental Health Nursing. 37, 12, p. 903-911
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2014
- Published‘Rydym Eisiau Gwybod’ – the dementia diagnosis disclosure preferences of people in North Wales
Page, S., Davies Abbott, I., Ingley, S. & Bee, P., 12 Dec 2014, In: International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 30, 1, p. 108-110
Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review
Activities
2023
- Royal College of Psychiatry webinar
Presentation on rare dementia pathways in Wales
24 May 2023
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker) - Update on dementia research and practice in Wales
Talk at BGS 2023 Wales Spring Meeting
24 Mar 2023
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker) - Diabetes Wellness News (Journal)
Peer review on article.
17 Mar 2023
Activity: Publication peer-review (Editorial board member) - Language creates reality
28 Feb 2023
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
2022
- Rare dementia pathways in Wales
DSDC Wales Research Centre organised and delivered yet another fantastic event for people living with dementia, their carers and health and care professionals. Fifty-two CPD certificates were issued following the event. Delegates reported being more informed about rare dementias and the support available following our research and lived experience presentations
28 Oct 2022
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker) - Dementia diagnosis consensus roundtable
20 Oct 2022
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups (Contributor) - New seminar series between The Center of Excellence for the Hill Tribe Health Research (CEHR), Thiland and Ageing and Dementia @ Bangor / DSDC
12 Oct 2022 →
Links:
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups (Contributor) - Appreciative Inquiry (Disabilities Trust)
Facilitated an Appreciative Inquiry for the Disabilities Trust involving service users and staff.
20 Sep 2022
Activity: Consultancy (Consultant) - CALIN - PI (Health)
The CALIN project connects business, academia and healthcare with experts from six leading universities across Ireland and Wales. The network provides small to medium enterprises access to technology, scientific expertise, and a network of life science innovators to support the development of products, processes and services, with Bangor University leading on the health and wellbeing theme.
1 Aug 2022
Activity: Types of Award - Appointment (Contributor) - Advanced DCM working group
Review of Advanced DCM training and materials
20 Jun 2022
Activity: Consultancy (Consultant) - Alzheimer's Disease International Conference: Alzheimer's Disease International's 35th Conference
Poster presentation: People living with dementia using Appreciative Inquiry to challenge discourse
9 Jun 2022 – 11 Jun 2022
Activity: Participation in conference (Speaker) - DCM service leads
Attended by health board representatives across Wales to support the use of DCM in healthcare practice.
6 Jun 2022
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups (Contributor) - Personhood and Blade Runner
6 Jun 2022 – 7 Jun 2022
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker) - Appreciative Inquiry (Disabilities Trust)
Facilitated an Appreciative Inquiry for the Disabilities Trust involving service users and staff.
16 May 2022
Activity: Consultancy (Consultant) - Mappers network
Attended by health board representatives across Wales to support the use of DCM in healthcare practice.
25 Apr 2022
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups (Contributor)
2021
- DCM mappers workshop
14 Jul 2021
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups (Contributor) - Memory Assessment Services Group
Presentation regarding rare dementia.
7 Jul 2021
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups (Contributor) - Dementia Care Mapping: An audit of results during the covid-19 pandemic
23 Mar 2021 – 25 Mar 2021
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker) - RDS in Wales support group
Monthly support group for people affected by rare dementia in Wales. Developed through the Rare Dementia Impact Study.
2 Mar 2021 →
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Public lecture/debate/seminar (Contributor) - Rare Dementia Support in Wales
Appreciative Inquiry workshop to create the first rare dementia support group for Wales.
2 Feb 2021 – 3 Feb 2021
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
2020
- Dementia Care Mapping
Presenting on the use of DCM in research.
4 May 2020
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Invited talk (Contributor) - Dementia Regional Training - DCM Stories - CTMUHB
6 Mar 2020
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups (Contributor) - Dementia Regional Training - DCM Stories - SBUHB
29 Jan 2020
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups (Contributor)
2019
- Dementia Regional Training - DCM Stories - ABU
12 Dec 2019
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups (Contributor) - 29th Alzheimer Europe Conference
Oral presentation: Using Appreciative Inquiry with people with dementia to discover positivity and influence the future.
25 Oct 2019
Activity: Participation in conference (Speaker) - Dementia Regional Training - DCM Stories - BCUHB
19 Oct 2019
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups (Contributor) - Dementia Regional Training - DCM Stories - Hywel Dda
19 Sep 2019
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups (Contributor) - Souvenaid Nurse Expert Meeting
Delivered Appreciative Inquiry workshop regarding modifiable risk factors for dementia.
11 Apr 2019
Activity: Consultancy (Consultant) - Dementia Care Mapping Stories - All Wales
7 Mar 2019
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups (Contributor) - Supporting Continuing Professional Development
15 Jan 2019
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
2018
- Higher Education Dementia Network (HEDN) (External organisation)
An academic group from universities across the UK exploring and designing dementia education initiatives.
6 Dec 2018 →
Activity: Membership of network (Chair) - Work package co-lead - Environments of Ageing
Oct 2018 →
Activity: Types of Award - Appointment (Contributor)
Projects
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01/04/2022 – 15/07/2023 (Active)