The role of academic nurse researcher incorporates a range of work streams:
- Supporting research capacity and capability amongst nursing, and allied health professionals (Cancer Rehabilitation and Support Team)
- Promoting and supporting patient and public involvement in research
- Working collaboratively with external organisations and partners to develop research proposals and funding applications
- Take forward research studies which are identified as priority areas for patients, the organisation and the broader NHS
The role involves partnership working with a broad range of research partners both regionally and nationally, for example:academic staff; healthcare professionals; patients, families and the public; research networks; and charities. An example of a recent research study termed ‘PACT’ — Peer support to maintain psychological wellbeing in people with cancer: A feasibility study for a Randomised Controlled Trial, involved staff from Universities of Manchester, Lancaster, Liverpool and Southampton, The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, and patient representatives.
It is important that health services research is informed and guided by patients, families and the public to identify research that is important and relevant, to ensure that the right questions are asked and to help make sure good research is heard about and reported in ways that are meaningful to people. Patients, families and the public may hold a variety of roles as research partners, for example, advising on study documents; reviewing and commenting on research proposals; identifying priority areas for research and assisting with knowledge sharing from study findings. Training and support is made available to enable patients, families and the public to actively engage in their role/s with knowledge, skills and confidence as required. Resources from NIHR INVOLVE 1 support this activity.
Nurses and allied health professionals are encouraged to apply for local/regional or national funding opportunities. Examples include the NIHR Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRCs) programme 2; The Health Education England (HEE) and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Integrated Clinical Academic (ICA) Programme 3; and The Health Foundation grant programmes 4. Involvement in research is also enabled through secondment opportunities and specific research roles such as co-applicant or advisor to a project. Staff are supported to present and publish the results of their research.
The role incorporates the mentoring and supervision of students who are undertaking postgraduate study at Masters and PhD level. This requires working with the relevant CCC departments to ensure the approval and set-up of the study, as well as signposting students to relevant information and support. Access to services such as the Research Design Service 5 and NHS North West Leadership Academy (NHS NWLA) 6 provide individuals with additional expert advice.
References
1 http://www.invo.org.uk/about-involve/
[accessed 24/09/2018]
2 NIHR (2018) NIHR Collaborations for Leadership in
Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRCs),
https://www.nihr.ac.uk/about-us/how-we-are-managed...
[accessed 24/09/2018]
3
NIHR (2018) ICA HEE/NIHR Integrated Clinical
Academic Programme for non-medical healthcare professions,https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding-and-support/funding...
[accessed 24/09/2018]
4 The Health Foundation (2018) Funding and fellowship
opportunities, https://www.health.org.uk/funding-and-fellowship-o...
[accessed 24/09/2018]
5
NIHR (2018) Research Design Service (RDS), https://www.nihr.ac.uk/about-us/how-we-are-managed...
[accessed 24/09/2018]
6 Northwest Leadership Academy (2018) https://www.nwacademy.nhs.uk/ [accessed 24/09/2018]