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.

• 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.