1 / 29

Starting out in research

Professor John Dixon from Teesside University shares valuable insights, tips, and support for those beginning in research in health and social care. Learn why research is important, developing ideas, types of research, support available, and examples. Gain confidence, awareness, and practical advice to start your research journey today.

staples
Download Presentation

Starting out in research

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Starting out in research Professor John Dixon Health & Social Care Institute, Teesside University CSP NE Network March 2016

  2. Content • Advice & tips for starting out in research • Why research? • Developing ideas • Support: CSP & Council for AHP Research (CAHPR) • NE England support • Options, both funded and unfunded • Examples • Discussion

  3. Why talk about research? • Advice often requested • Research is important • To improve health outcomes • To evidence your role: commissioning-led NHS and increasing need for data • But research is challenging • Various barriers exist • Confidence & awareness important (in my view)

  4. How to start: developing ideas • Keep it simple • You know your area, and the gaps in knowledge • Develop research questions (with advice) • Be up-to-date on the evidence base • Think about your aim – what do you want? • Starting up, you do not need to do RCTs • Simpler is always easier for numerous reasons • Evidence needs to be built up logically & ethically

  5. A bit of theory on that • MRC Framework for Development & Evaluation of RCTs for complex interventions... • Looks complex, but can be very helpful • Shows importance of exploratory/feasibility research & service evaluation • To you • To any review bodies • (Don’t get hung up on the “complex interventions” term)

  6. MRC examples in our area • Pre-clinical - reviews • Phase 1 – observational studies, pre-post studies (research or service evaluation) • Phase 2 – exploratory controlled trials • Phase 3 – fully powered RCTs • Precise categorisation may be context-dependent (and is not vitally important)

  7. MRC Framework 2008 update

  8. Relevance of Framework • “uncomplicated” research is important • Shows the relevance of exploratory/feasibility research & service evaluation • i.e. research that novices can carry out • Building block to improving care • Jumping to RCTs can be extremely costly & unethical • Helps with barriers & motivation • Also shows why work should be disseminated

  9. Categorisation • Service evaluation vs research • evaluate effect of a service vs generalising • R&D should decide, but in reality it can be down to your plans – to generalise or not? • SE studies are important, and feasible for you • Ethics fast track “proportionate review” system. Examples: research when non-drug & no change to care; some questionnaires

  10. Support structures • Council for AHP Research (CAHPR) • Established by CSP: • Build research capacity and capability within the Allied Health Professions to develop the scientific evidence base for practice. • Support the implementation of the evidence base within practice • http://www.csp.org.uk/professional-union/research/networking-support/council-allied-health-professions-research

  11. CAHPR history • 2004: Chartered Society of Physiotherapy issued a call for an individual to act as ‘research champion’ for the profession • A university consortium of professors responded with an alternative ‘network’ suggestion • 2005: CSP approves the Hub network proposal and agrees to fund for a 5 year period • June 2005: the National Physiotherapy Research Network (NPRN) was officially launched

  12. CAHPR history • Between 2009 and 2011 discussions took place re an AHP network. Hubs were already involving a range of AHPs. • AHP professional bodies approached to formally sign up: BDA,BIOS,COP,COT,SOCP,SOR,SLT and CSP all formally involved, and pay an annual subscription. • Other professions interested for the future. • AHPRN officially launched June 2012 • Rebranded as CAHPR 2014.

  13. NE England Hub • NE England Hub of CAHPR (TU & NU) • Hub leaders: Cormac Ryan, John Dixon • Hub Facilitators include: Katherine Baker, Helen Atkin, Amanda Trees, Denis Martin, Liz Holey, Claire Brewis, Josette Bettany-Saltikov, Paul Elliot • We disseminate research information (e.g. funding) • We are happy to help if at all possible • Work with you, advise, refer you to relevant sites or experts, facilitate collaboration: neofengahprn@tees.ac.uk

  14. Outcomes of CAHPR activity • Increased confidence in and readiness for research, • Increased awareness of new evidence, • Formation of new Collaborations/networks, • Sharing of research priorities, methods and approaches, • Development of new research questions, • Increases in Grant applications, • PhD Enrolments, • Increased standing and visibility locally in the field

  15. Other support structures • Professional networks, HEIs • NHS R&D depts • CDTV Research Collaborative (Primary Care) • NHS Research design service (NECS) • Clinical research networks • Dissemination examples: • Conferences: PNs, Physiotherapy Research Society • Journals e.g.: Pain and Rehabilitation - Journal of the Physiotherapy Pain Association

  16. Funding • Competitive • But lots of expertise locally in HEIs & NHS • NIHR Clinical Academic Training Prog, RfPB • for strong projects, CATP CDRF for PhDs • important to have applications from AHPs • Think outside the box re funders • e.g. British Geriatics Society, HEA, PNs & Societies, • Pilot research data frequently helps success • Build team – use support structures

  17. Examples

  18. Examples

  19. Examples

  20. Examples

  21. Examples

  22. Examples

  23. Key point • You can often carry out these type of “early phase” studies without funding • Within clinical practice • Within HEIs • Use support & expertise to develop plans

  24. Conclusion • Research is feasible • Research is important • A range of types and scale – all important • Ask for support and help • NE Hub email: neofengahprn@tees.ac.uk

  25. References • CAHPR: http://www.csp.org.uk/professional-union/research/networking-support/council-allied-health-professions-research • http://www.csp.org.uk/professional-union/research/networking-support/cahpr-regional-hubs • MRC 2000: http://www.mrc.ac.uk/Utilities/Documentrecord/index.htm?d=MRC003372 • MRC 2008: http://www.mrc.ac.uk/Utilities/Documentrecord/index.htm?d=MRC004871 • NE RDS : http://rds-ne.nihr.ac.uk/ • HEE/NIHR Clin Academic programme: http://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/nihr-hee-ica-programme.htm • PRS: http://prs.csp.org.uk/ • PPA PN Journal http://ppa.csp.org.uk/group-journal Email: john.dixon@tees.ac.ukneofengahprn@tees.ac.uk

More Related