Research Champions: Mixed methods evaluation of an interdisciplinary programme for community nurses and allied health professionals to build research capacity

Abrahamson, Vanessa, Baldock, Bethany, Tomlinson, Lee, Jackson, Carrie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2046-0242, Manley, Kim and Wilson, Patricia (2023) Research Champions: Mixed methods evaluation of an interdisciplinary programme for community nurses and allied health professionals to build research capacity. Advanced Journal of Professional Practice, 4 (1). pp. 33-55. ISSN 2059-3198

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Abstract

Aims:to evaluate the Research Championsprogramme andlearn what practitioners perceived askey challenges/benefits; to identify measurable outcomes; and to identify ways of increasing programme uptake.Background: research within healthcare services is a priority, highlighted throughout UK policy and reflected internationally. Theone-year programme was designed to enable nurses, midwives and allied health professionals to develop their practice by learning about research as part of practice development. Design:mixed methods longitudinal: questionnaires/focus groups with practitioners and their managers.Methods:Practitioners in three cohorts (2018-21) were asked to complete baseline and post-programme questionnaires; managers were asked to complete post-programme questionnaires; practitioners in the third cohort participated in focus groups. The research facilitator tracked practitioners’progress for evidence of measurable outcomes. Qualitative data was analysed thematically, underpinned by a realist approach, with strategies to maximise rigour. Reporting complies with the COREQ qualitative checklist.Results:Twenty-seven (of 31) practitioners completed the pre-programme questionnaire, 19 the post-programme questionnaire; and 13 (of 29) managers completed their questionnaire. Measurable outcomes included Masters degree, research internships, conference presentations, further research projects and promotion. Nine practitioners participated in two focus groups. Three themes were identified. Aspirations and challengesreflected tension between wanting to develop their professional practice using research while negotiating barriers. Coming together, learning ogetherconcerned the importance of time to reflect and develop research knowledge/skills, alongside developing confidence to innovate practice. Moving forward, maximising impactevidenced how the programme was a steppingstone to further professional and service developmentandtransforming culture.Conclusion:Practitioners’aspirations spanned individual, service and organisational goals. Thisintroductory programme provided the first step to further clinical-academic opportunities for the most capable and motivated practitioners. Key mechanisms included developing research knowledge/skills and the confidence to translate learning into practice. Immediate gains included practitioners sharing their knowledge, skills and enthusiasm for research with colleagues. Medium to longer term gains included changes in clinical practice with direct patient benefit, developing a research network, ongoing research activities and embarking on a clinical-academic pathway

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	practice development,research development,quality improvement,service development,professional development,career pathway development,health professions(all),nursing(all),sdg 3 - good health and well-being,sdg 4 - quality education,sdg 8 - decent work and economic growth ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3600
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	08 Oct 2024 17:30
Last Modified:	21 Oct 2024 13:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/96961
DOI:	10.22024/UniKent/03/ajpp.1166

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