Paula C. Fletcher

My research is broadly focused in health, chronic illness, disability and caregiving. Specifically, I have 2 main areas of research.

I explore the “lived experiences” of individuals with chronic conditions (e.g., pediatric cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease) and/or disabilities (e.g., autism). These experiences are examined from the views of the diagnosed individual, their family members and health care professionals.

I also examine older adults and seniors at risk with respect to falling and various health behaviours (e.g., health screening, medication safety).

I will supervise graduate students that are interested in examining the lived experiences of individuals faced with a chronic illness or disability, or are providing care to an individual with an illness or disability. I will also supervise graduate students that would like to examine seniors at risk. 

• Guthrie DM, Pitman R, Fletcher PC, Hirdes JP, Stolee P, Poss JW, Papaioannou A, Berg K, Janzen Ezekiel H. (2014) Data sharing between home care professionals: A feasibility study using the RAI Home Care instrument. BMC Geriatrics 14(81). http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2318/14/81.
• Stephenson WH, Fletcher PC, Schneider MA. (2014). Women with breast cancer: Embracing and distancing themselves from the term cancer survivor. Clinical Nursing Studies, 2(1): 64-79.
• Fletcher PC & Guthrie DM (2013). The lived experiences of individuals with acquired deafblindness: Challenges and the future. International Journal of Disability, Community & Rehabilitation. 12(1).
• Markoulakis R, Scharoun S, Bryden PJ & Fletcher PC (2012). An Examination of handedness and footedness in children with high functioning Autism and Asperger syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(10), 2192-2201.
• Guthrie DM, Fletcher PC, Berg K, Williams E, Boumans N & Hirdes JP. (2012). The role of medications in predicting activity restriction due to a fear of falling. Journal of Aging and Health 24:269-86.
• Markoulakis R, Scharoun S, Bryden PJ & Fletcher PC. (2012). An Examination of handedness and footedness in children with high functioning Autism and Asperger syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
• Fletcher PC, Markoulakis R & Bryden PJ. (2012) The Costs of Caring for a Child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing. 35: 45-69.
• Guthrie DM, Fletcher PC, Berg K, Williams E, Boumans N & Hirdes JP. (2012) The role of medications in predicting activity restriction due to a fear of falling. Journal of Aging and Health. 24(2): 269-286.
• Markoulakis R, Fletcher PC & Bryden PJ. (2012) “Seeing the glass half-full”: Benefits to the lived experiences of female primary caregivers of children with autism. Clinical Nurse Specialist. 26(1): 48-56.
• Fletcher PC. (2011). My child has cancer: Finding the silver lining in every mother's nightmare. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing.. 34(1):40-55.
• Fletcher PC, Almeida Q, Guthrie DM, Berg K & Hirdes JP (2010) Assessing the health of community-based individuations with Parkinsonism using the Resident Assessment Instrument-Home Care (RAI-HC). Senior Care Canada. 14(4): 10-15.
• Fletcher PC, Berg, K, Dalby, DM, & Hirdes JP. (2010). Risk Factors for Restriction in Activity Associated with Fear of Falling among Seniors within the Community. Journal of Patient Safety. 6(3):187-191.
• Fletcher PC, Harry RJ & Schneider MA. (2010). How Do I Cope? Factors Affecting Mothers’ Abilities to Cope with Pediatric Cancer. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing. 27: 285-298.
• Fletcher PC. (2010). My Child has Cancer: The Costs of Mothers’ Experiences of Having a Child with Pediatric Cancer. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing. 33(3): 164-184.
• Schneider MA, Jamieson A. & Fletcher PC. (2009). ‘One sip won’t do any harm …’ Temptation among women with inflammatory bowel disease/irritable bowel syndrome to engage in negative dietary behaviours, despite the consequences to their health. International Journal of Nursing Practice. 15: 80-90.