Dr Lissette Aviles

Lecturer in Nursing Studies

Background

Lissette earned her Professional Degree in Nursing (RN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Universidad de Concepcion, Chile. Her professional experience was focused on critical care, working for many years mainly in public hospitals in the capital of Chile. She did a Diploma in Chronic Hemodyalisis at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, specialising in acute hemodialysis therapy as well.  She completed her Master of Nursing at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. Her master’s dissertation was a phenomenological study exploring the experiences of donor's families who agreed on organ donation in Chile. She worked as Lecturer at Universidad Andres Bello, Chile, where taught subjects such as Nursing Theory, Critical Care, and Qualitative Research for undergraduates and postgraduates. 

After awarded Becas Chile Scholarship by the Chilean Government, she started her PhD in Nursing Studies in 2016 at the University of Edinburgh. Lissette's professional experience working in critical care and teaching has inspired her passion, linking nursing theory and practice to improve nursing care, healthcare services through a compassionate understanding of people experiences. Her PhD continues the understanding of the organ donation process in Chile, exploring the approaching families process for organ donation consent through a constructivist grounded theory study. Her expertise includes qualitative methods, grounded theory, the social sciences, nursing theory, and ethical consideration conducting research.

Currently, working as Lecturer in Nursing Studies at the University of Edinburgh, teaching across BN, MN, MSc and programme, and supervising PhD students. Lissette leads the Ethics Committee in Nursing Studies, and Year 2.  BN. 

Qualifications

  • PhD Nursing Studies, University of Edinburgh
  • Master of Science (MSc), Nursing. Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Chile
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Universidad de Concepcion, Chile
  • Professional Degree in Nursing (BN), Universidad de Concepcion, Chile 

 

Others

Associated Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Registered Nurse (Chile and UK)

Responsibilities & affiliations

  • Ethics Lead Ethics Committee, Nursing Studies, School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh
  • Year 2 Lead, BN, University of Edinburgh
  • Member, European Transplantation Society (2021- Present)
  • Sigma member (2020-Present) Chapter Scotland and Colombia.
  • Member, European Sociological Association (2019 - Present)
  • Member, Organising Committee, Thinking Chile, UK Global Seminar, UoE Chilean Society, The University of Edinburgh (2018 and 2019 version)
  • Member, Society for the study of Symbolic Interaction (2017 - Present)
  • Member, Grounded Theory Group, School of Health in Social Science, The University of Edinburgh (2017 - Present) 
  • Member, UoE Chilean Society, The University of Edinburgh (2016 - Present)

Undergraduate teaching

Course organiser:

Mind and Body: Life Science and Nursing Care 2, NUST0823 (2021/2022 to date) BN Nursing Studies

Life Science and Nursing Care, NUST10061 (2021/2022 to date) MN in Nursing with Pre-Registration

Person-Centred Care in Practice: Relationships and Emotion, NUST11083 (2021/2022 to date) Honours, BN Nursing Studies, and Postgraduate programmes. 

Research Methods in Health, SHSS1102 (2021/2022) Online - Master level

 

Course Co-organiser:

Transplantation Nursing NUST10030 (2020/2021 to date) Honours,  BN Nursing Studies

 

Postgraduate teaching

Lissette is involved in the Neurological Rehabilitation and Care Postgraduate Certificate (SCQF Level 11). She has responsibility for the students' support, delivery and coordination of the programme and student learning and teaching experience.  

Course Organiser: Person-centred care in Practice: Relationships and Emotion (SCQF Level 11)

Open to PhD supervision enquiries?

Yes

Areas of interest for supervision

I'm keen to supervise MScR and PhD students who explore either topics or methodologies of my expertise. 

Current PhD students supervised

  • Huda Alamri  - PhD Thesis: Exploring teaching fundamentals of nursing in Saudi Arabia. 
  • Tanawan Pitakkochakorn - PhD Thesis: Mental health among children with long-term conditions: A qualitative study
  • Daniela Perucca - PhD Thesis: Exploring caregivers' experiences in Chile
  • Yin Wang - PhD thesis: An exploration of nurses’ and chronically ill patients’ perceptions and experiences of patient participation in nursing care within inpatient care context in China. An etnography.
  • Melanie Phillips - PhD thesis: A study of non-adherence on an Edinburgh cohort of patients considered for simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant both pre and post-transplant. A grounded theory study.

Research summary

Lissette is interested in people's experiences in the context of acute care and transitions, including individuals, families, and healthcare professionals, to improve nursing care provision widely. Interested in qualitative methods, grounded theory, nursing theory, and ethical consideration conducting research drive her work to contribute to practice, education and policymaking. Her experience of participating in national, international and multidisciplinary collaboration draws on understanding the political role of nurses in global solutions.  

Past research interests

Lissette's PhD developed a middle-range theory to guide nursing practice in the field of organ donation and transplantation. In 2020, Lissette worked as a Research Fellow for the YARNS project- Young Adults Rehabilitation Experiences and Needs Following Stroke https://rcnfoundation.rcn.org.uk/Apply-For-Funding/Funded-projects/YARNS-study

Affiliated research centres

  • Acute Critical Trajectories to Recovery and Rehabilitation Experience (ACToRE). University of Edinburgh

Project activity

Project: The YARNS project is a 3-year Royal College of Nursing Foundation (RCNF) funded project focused on developing an intervention to support the psychosocial recovery of people under 50 who have experience and acquired brain injury (ABI). The project is using a realist evaluation methodology within the 6SQuID intervention framework.  

Project: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses mental wellbeing in Chile, Indonesia and Taiwan https://www.researchgate.net/project/The-impact-of-the-COVID-19-pandemic-on-nurses-mental-wellbeing-in-Chile-Indonesia-and-Taiwan

Project: What are the experiences of clinical staff approaching families for consent to organ donation? A systematic review https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021254404

Current project grants

Project: UoE Saving Lives! A student nurse led project that aims to deliver CPR training to the staff and student community of the University of Edinburgh.
https://www.ed.ac.uk/student-experience-grants/success-stories/grant-awa...

Past project grants

- Principal’s Teaching Award Scheme (PTAS)- Regular Grant Award, The University of Edinburgh (Co- applicant) Project: Empathy and compassion in work and life’.
College of Medicine Research Fund 2019, National University of Taiwan (Co-applicant) Project: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses’ mental health: an international survey (Chile, Indonesia and Taiwan).
- InspirED Student Award 2019 (Main applicant), School of Health in Social Science, The University of Edinburgh. Project: PGR Writing Retreat at Firbush.
- Chile Global Seminar UK 2019. (Co-applicant). Project: Thinking Chile and Latin America: Sharing ideas in Edinburgh 2019. https://sites.google.com/view/thinking-chile-2019/page
- Esa Solidarity Fund, European Sociological Association 2019. (Main applicant), Conference fee waiver.
- InspirED Student Award 2018 School of Health in Social Science, The University of Edinburgh (Co-applicant). Project: Grounded Theory Workshop with Professor Tony Bryant.
- Becas CHILE 2015, Chilean National Research and Development Agency (Agencia Nacional de Investigacion y Desarrollo – ANID), Chilean Government. Doctoral Scholarship, PhD fees and expenses at The University of Edinburgh (2016-2020).

Conference details

 

  • European Society for Organ Transplantation Congress 2023. September 2023, Athens, Greece. Poster presentations: Family-centred approach for organ donation authorisation: a grounded theory study. Poster presentation: Organ donor coordinators’ leadership in organ donation and transplantation practice and policy. 
  • The European Donation and Transplant Coordinators Organisation Congress 2023. September 2023, Athens, Greece. Oral presentation: Organ donor coordinators’ leadership in organ donation and transplantation practice and policy 
  • 16th International Family Nursing Association Conference. June 2023, Dublin, Ireland. Oral presentation: Reading the family: A constructivist grounded theory for organ donation. 
  • Learning and Teaching Conference 2023. June 2023, Edinburgh, UK. Workshop: 
  • NES Annual Virtual Conference 2023 (Online). April 2023, UK. Workshop: Exploring person centred care through co- creation of patient stories with first year nursing students. 

  • 42nd Annual International Nursing & Midwifery Research and Education Conference. February 2023, Dublin, Ireland. Poster: Developing Nursing Leadership in Neurorehabilitation: A Qualitative Programme Evaluation.

  • VIII Chilean National Congress of Transplant 2021 (Online). August 2021, Chile. Oral presentation: ‘’Reading the family: a middle-range theory for approaching families with the organ donation process’’.

  • RCN International Nursing Research Conference 2021 (Online). September 2021, United Kingdom.Symposium 3: Age-appropriate care for young stroke survivors. Oral presentation: ‘’Young stroke survivors experiences of rehabilitation and care

  • UK Stroke Forum 2020 (Online). Poster: ‘Stories of stroke’: learning from the experiences of young adults (18-45) in the UK. Chandler C, Holloway A, Aviles L, Choi H, Putri A, Clarissa C, Mitra U, Pan J, Kelly D, Hewitt J, Pennington A, Harris R, Cluckie G, Reid J, Noble J, Smart A, Mc Kee J.
  • ESA RN11 Midterm Conference on Emotions 2020 (Online). European Sociological Association. Oral Presentation: ‘Researching emotions, reflecting emotions’. Nominated for ‘Best Paper Award’.
  • Universitas 21 Health Sciences Group Doctoral Student Forum 2020, University College Dublin (Online). Oral presentation: 'Edgework Emotion Management in One Health'.
  • 38th Chilean Congress of Intensive Medicine 2020, Santiago, Chile (Online). Poster: ‘Edgework emotion management in critical care: a proposal based on a Chilean study’.
  • 14th Conference of the European Sociological Association 2019, Manchester, UK. Oral Presentation: Edgework Emotional Management in Organ Donation Negotiation
  • Grounded Theory Symposium: A methodological discussion in developing theory. Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK. Oral Presentation: 'Conducting data collection abroad. Is it incompatible with grounded theory? How do we engage with the methodology?'
  • Conference 2018 School of Health in Social Science. The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland. Oral Presentation: ‘Methodological and ethical challenges doing constructivist grounded theory in the field’.
  • Global Human Caring Congress, Santiago 2018. Watson Caring Science Institute, Santiago, Chile. Poster Presentation: 'A proposal of human caring for organ donation approach in Chile'.
  • Conference 2017 School of Health in Social Science. The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland. Oral Presentation: ‘Approaching families of potential organ donors: a grounded theory study’.
  • III Annual International Conference on Nursing. 2017, Athens, Greece. Oral Presentation: ‘Generating social responsibility nursing through a service-learning experience". Reynaldos K., Aviles L. & Henriquez C.
  • XV Pan American Nursing Research Coloquium. 2016, Mexico, Mexico. “Generating Social responsibility in nursing through a service-learning experience in Chile’. Reynaldos K, Aviles L & Henriquez C.
  • XV Pan American Nursing Research Coloquium. 2016, Mexico, Mexico. Oral Presentation: “Middle range theories in nursing’. Galdames L. & Aviles L.
  • III International Congress Models and Nursing Theories and Health Research. 2015, Neiva, Colombia. Key speaker. ‘Nursing Models in Critical Care Units: Step toward advanced nursing care’.
  • V Latino American Nephrology Nursing Congress. 2015, Santiago, Chile. Oral Presentation ‘Experience in organ donation process, an opportunity for nursing’.
  • XIV Pan American Nursing Research Coloquium. 2014, Cartagena, Colombia. Oral Presentation: ‘A change of live: Experience relatives who agreed to organ donation in Santiago, Chile’.
  • Surgical Nursing Symposium in II International Course “New frontiers in minimally invasive surgery: challenges of the XXI century”. 2014, Santiago, Chile. Oral Presentation: “A change of live: Experience relatives who agreed to organ donation in Santiago’.

Invited speaker

 

  • Opening class, Academic semester of the Master's Degree in Nursing Course of the Graduate Program in Nursing of the Integrated Institute of Health. Universidad Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul –UFMS, Brazil. March 11th 20222,  “Methodological and ethical challenges doing constructivist grounded theory for application in nursing research”.

  • Seminars: Emotions, compassion and Care, Universidad de Chile, Chile, June 2022. ‘’Edgework emotion management: a nursing theory’’.

  • III International Congress Models and Nursing Theories and Health Research. 2015, Neiva, Colombia. Key speaker invited by the UNISANGIL: ‘Nursing Models in Critical Care Units: Step toward advanced nursing care’. https://www.usco.edu.co/congresos/congreso_enfermeria.php

Organiser

  • Thinking Chile and Latin America: Sharing ideas in Edinburgh 2019 and Track One Health for Latin American Development. February 2019. The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. Organiser Committee. Check link: https://sites.google.com/view/thinking-chile-2019/page
  • Grounded Theory Workshop with Professor Tony Bryant. June 2018. The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. Organiser Committee SHSS Grounded Theory Group.
  • Thinking Chile: Sharing ideas in Edinburgh 2018. The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. Organiser Committee. Check the link:  https://sites.google.com/view/thinkingchile/page

Participant

  • Sigma’s Virtual 31st International Nursing Research Congress 2020.
  • Consortium of European Research on Emotion (CERE) Conference 2018. April 2018, Glasgow, UK.
  • Annual Conference 2017 Society for study of symbolic interaction. Grounded Theory Workshop with Professor Kathy Charmaz. August 2017, Montreal, Canada

Papers delivered

  • Avilés L, Kean S & Tocher J. (2022) Ambiguous loss in organ donor families: A constructivist grounded theory. Journal of Clinical Nursing.  Web. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocn.16574
  • Avilés L, Kean S & Tocher, J. (2021). Edgework emotion management: a constructivist grounded theory of organ donation nurses' experiences and practices. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 00, 1-13. Web. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jocn.16179
  • Holloway A., Chandler C., Aviles L, Clarissa C., Choi H., Putri A., Harris R., Noble H., Kelly D. (2021) Young Adults Rehabilitation Needs and Experiences following Stroke (YARNS): a review of digital accounts to inform age- appropriate support. Journal of Advanced Nursing.  https://doi-org.ezproxy.is.ed.ac.uk/10.1111/jan.15076
  • Soto C, Avilés L, Lucchini C & Soto P. (2017) In-depth knowledge of the role of the clinical mentor. Invest. Educ. Enferm, 35(3): 356-363
  • Reynaldos K. & Aviles L. (2016) Chapter. Social responsibility of health care organizations and the role of the nursing professional. Handbook of Research on Social Entrepreneurship and Solidarity Economics.IGI Global,  http://doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-0097-1
  • Aviles, L. & Criado, M. (2016) Theories of medium range: their transcendence and applicability. Universalud Rev Ciencias Salud Unisangil, 6(1): 58-66.
  • Herbias L, Aguirre R, Bravo H & Avilés L. (2016) Meaning of quality of life in patients on haemodialysis. Enferm Nefrol, 19(1): 37-44.
  • Avilés L, Rivera MS & Catoni M. (2014) Life lessons of eight families donating organs of deceased family members. Revista Medica de Chile, 142: 702-706.
  • Avilés L & Soto C. (2014) Nursing models in critical care units: Step toward advanced nursing care. Enfermería Global, 34 (4): 323- 329.
  • Soto C, Avilés L & Robledo C.  (2012) Technology in an outpatient chemotherapy center and advanced practice nursing: observational study. Medwave, 12(11): e557
  • Students’ Association’s student-led Teaching Awards 2023, in the category Personal Tutor of the Year (2 nominations), Teacher of the Year (1 nomination), Supervisor of the Year (1 nomination). University of Edinburgh. https://www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/whatson/awards/roll-of-honour-2023 
  • CAHSS Recognition Award in the The Exceptional Team Award 2023 category. Nursing Studies Ethics Team.
  • CAHSS Recognition Award in the The Exceptional Team Award 2023 category. Nursing Studies Staff.
  • CAHSS Recognition Award in the The Exceptional Team Award 2023 category. Clinical Skills Team - Nursing Studies
  • CDCS Digital Research Prizes 2023. Best Impact from a Data-Led Project category in the CDCS Digital Research Prizes 2023. University of Edinburgh - Project. Young Adults Rehabilitation experiences and Needs following Stroke (YARNS) 
  • Student-led Teaching Awards 2022, in the category Support Staff of the Year and Personal Tutor of the Year
  • CAHSS Recognition Award in the The Excellent Newcomer Award 2022 category.
  • Aviles L. (2023) Adopting person-centred and compassionate teaching through co-creation. Teaching Matters Blog. Available: https://www.teaching-matters-blog.ed.ac.uk/adopting-person-centred-and-compassionate-teaching-through-co-creation/
  • Avilés L, Kean S & Tocher J. (2023) Ambiguous loss in organ donor families: A constructivist grounded theory. Journal of Clinical Nursing.  Web. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocn.16574
  • Avilés L, Kean S & Tocher, J. (2022). Edgework emotion management: a constructivist grounded theory of organ donation nurses' experiences and practices. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 00, 1-13. Web. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jocn.16179
  • Holloway A., Chandler C., Aviles L, Clarissa C., Choi H., Putri A., Harris R., Noble H., Kelly D. (2021) Young Adults Rehabilitation Needs and Experiences following Stroke (YARNS): a review of digital accounts to inform age- appropriate support. Journal of Advanced Nursing.  https://doi-org.ezproxy.is.ed.ac.uk/10.1111/jan.15076
  • Soto C, Avilés L, Lucchini C & Soto P. (2017) In-depth knowledge of the role of the clinical mentor. Invest. Educ. Enferm, 35(3): 356-363
  • Reynaldos K. & Aviles L. (2016) Chapter. Social responsibility of health care organizations and the role of the nursing professional. Handbook of Research on Social Entrepreneurship and Solidarity Economics.IGI Global,  http://doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-0097-1
  • Aviles, L. & Criado, M. (2016) Theories of medium range: their transcendence and applicability. Universalud Rev Ciencias Salud Unisangil, 6(1): 58-66.
  • Herbias L, Aguirre R, Bravo H & Avilés L. (2016) Meaning of quality of life in patients on haemodialysis. Enferm Nefrol, 19(1): 37-44.
  • Avilés L, Rivera MS & Catoni M. (2014) Life lessons of eight families donating organs of deceased family members. Revista Medica de Chile, 142: 702-706.
  • Avilés L & Soto C. (2014) Nursing models in critical care units: Step toward advanced nursing care. Enfermería Global, 34 (4): 323- 329.
  • Soto C, Avilés L & Robledo C.  (2012) Technology in an outpatient chemotherapy center and advanced practice nursing: observational study. Medwave, 12(11): e557