Establishing and evaluating research link practitioners; a pilot

Rona Inniss gstt.nmresearch@nhs.net, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Poster references

1. NHS England (2021). Making Research Happen. Chief Nursing Officer for England’s strategic plan for research [online]. NHS England website. Available at: www.england.nhs.uk/publication/making-research-matter-chief-nursing-officer-for-englands-strategic-plan-for-research (accessed on 1 June 2024).

2. NHS England (2023). Chief Midwifery Officer for England’s strategic plan for research [online]. NHS England website. Available at: www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/chief-midwifery-officer-for-englands-strategic-plan-for-research (accessed on 1 June 2024).

Poster

Establishing and evaluating research link practitioners; a pilot

A teaching hospital in London piloted a research link practitioner role to encourage clinical staff, especially nurses and midwives, to become research-active. The project aimed to create an evidence-based culture and empower staff to be research advocates and lead their own research.

Download the poster (pdf 173kb)

Background

This project sought to create a climate where nurses and midwives are empowered to be research active. Recognising that research active Trusts improve patient outcomes, and in line with Chief Nursing Officer ambitions and national research priorities1-3, development of an evidence-based link practitioner role sought to counter the lack of awareness of research opportunities in clinical staff. We developed and evaluated a pilot research link practitioner role as part of a longer-term ambition to establish an evidence-based, sustainable programme across a London teaching hospital. Preliminary work included collaborating with a fellow teaching hospital on a scoping review, consulting with key stakeholders within our trust and across the NHS, and establishing a steering group (who guided project design, review, and dissemination).

Initiative

The scoping review of published literature addressing research link roles in clinical settings identified 16 relevant papers but found no pre-existing validated measures of success. Data on research confidence were collected at baseline and 6 months, participants recorded activity in diaries (including predicted impact), and short qualitative interviews were conducted with participants and managers (topic guide developed with the steering group). Equality and diversity and process data were collected to contextualise data and promote inclusivity. The pilot provides training, monthly networking and education sessions, buddying and a research community for clinical nurses and midwives. While linking with our R&D department, the pilot is not focused on research delivery, rather it supports nurses and midwives to become research advocates and facilitate nurse and midwife led research.

Implications

Participants used the time to develop skills and experiential knowledge whilst supporting colleagues with research interest. One manager reported that the programme allowed recognition and reward for highly motivated nurses where job progression was not possible. Patients are better informed about studies via improved staff engagement with research and local communication boards.

References

3. Department of Health & Social Care (2023). Research and analysis: DHSC's areas of research interest [online]. NHS England website. Available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-of-health-areas-of-research-interest/department-of-health-areas-of-research-interest (accessed on 1 June 2024).