The Journey to My First Publication
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Posted By: Tiffany Gurley Nettles on October 27, 2024 The Journey to My First Publication As a medical speech-language pathologist and a health psychologist, I am passionate about understanding the complexities of communication and cognitive health, particularly in the context of neurological conditions like stroke. Recently, I experienced a significant milestone in my career: the publication of my first article, titled "Examining Factors that Contribute to Post-Stroke Depression within the Family Caregiver and Care Recipient Dyadic Experience." This journey has been both challenging and rewarding, and I’d like to share some insights from this experience. The Motivation Behind the Research My interest in post-stroke depression (PSD) stems from witnessing its profound impact on both family caregivers and care recipients. After a stroke, the dynamics of family relationships can shift dramatically, often leading to increased stress and emotional challenges for both parties. I wanted to explore how these factors interplay and contribute to the overall well-being of the caregiver, care recipient, and the relationship within the dyad. Through my clinical work, I’ve observed the emotional toll that caring for a loved one with post-stroke challenges can take. Family caregivers often experience feelings of isolation, anxiety, and burnout, which can exacerbate the depressive symptoms in the care recipient. This prompted me to delve deeper into the factors influencing this cycle of depression, including communication barriers, emotional support, and the caregiving environment. The Research Process The process of conducting research and drafting the article was a profound learning experience. I began by reviewing existing literature on post-stroke depression and caregiver experiences, identifying gaps that my research could address. Gathering qualitative data through interviews allowed me to hear firsthand accounts of the emotional struggles faced by caregivers and care recipients with poststroke depression. Navigating the research process required perseverance and adaptability. I faced challenges in recruiting participants, ensuring ethical standards, and analyzing the data. Yet, these obstacles taught me valuable lessons about resilience and the importance of collaboration, as I am one who rarely asks for help. Engaging with colleagues and mentors throughout this journey gave me crucial insights and support. From Research to Manuscript: The Writing Process: a Sacrificial Journey I found that having a dedicated day or days to write was essential. A colleague recommended a writing group, so I applied and was accepted. I was not sure how this was going to work, but I decided to give it a try. This was a 19-week virtual meeting group with a one-week-long in-person retreat as the capstone event. We would meet every Tuesday from 8 am to 10 am. I would get up early to be in my office by 7:30 am. Arriving at my office early allowed me time to settle and be ready when the writing group started. Now, this was a stretch because I typically did not get to work until 10 am…whew! The sacrifice. I recall my first day. I signed in, and there were about 30-35 other participants on the call. I thought, ok, this thing must work because there were so many people taking this opportunity. Every writing session began with a mindfulness activity that would center us, calm our minds, and prepare us to write. I also played music softly in the background and had my essential oils in the diffuser. I began to write, and I was amazed at how focused I remained during each writing session. Maybe it was everyone sharing the same energy simultaneously, but this thing worked! The Publication Process The publication process itself was rigorous, with peer reviews and revisions. Receiving that first review of my article with “Major Revisions Needed” in bold print brought tears to my eyes because, of course, I thought I submitted the best manuscript ever! Ha. Wrong! They tore my paper to shreds! Okay, hyperbole, but yeah, I remember sitting quietly thinking I can’t do this as I felt defeated. I quickly disregarded that thought and decided that this reinforced my belief that everyone always has room to grow. I also recalled a former professor sharing with me his “trauma” (his words), during is publication process and I was in shock thinking: now if he experienced this, there is no hope for me. He also said, “It makes you want to quit, but don’t,” … so I didn’t. While it was daunting to receive that feedback, and having to respond to each individual comment, it was part of the process. I embraced it as an opportunity to refine my work, learn, and grow and to ensure it met the standards of academic rigor. Seeing my article published felt surreal! The moment I received the acceptance notification was a mix of excitement and disbelief. I realized that my work would contribute to the broader conversation about post-stroke care and the importance of addressing mental health within this context. It is incredibly fulfilling to know that my research could help inform practices that support care recipients with depression and family caregivers alike. Looking Ahead This was definitely a journey of growth, and now I feel as if I have a blueprint for the process. My experience writing this article has reinforced my commitment to advocating for care recipients and family caregivers navigating the challenges of post-stroke recovery. I have realized my voice and just how much I have to offer the field of Speech-Language Pathology. Moving forward, I hope to continue exploring this topic and many others through additional research and publications, raising awareness of the need for comprehensive support systems that address physical and mental health. My first published article (smiles) is not just a personal achievement; it is a stepping stone towards creating a more empathetic and informed approach to post-stroke care. Thank you for joining me on this journey! I’m so excited for what’s next… Article Link: Examining Factors That Contribute to Poststroke Depression Within the Family Caregiver and Care Recipient Dyadic Experience | Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups https://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2024_PER... If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Tiffany Gurley Nettles
Program Director and Assistant Professor, University of the District of Columbia Virginia State University class of 2025 Member Since October 2024 |
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