Clinician-led research vital to improving patient care, HEE highlights

Health Education England (HEE) has outlined results of a national survey conducted in partnership with the Nursing Times and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) showing 98 per cent of nurses surveyed believe that nurse-led research is important to furthering best practice among the profession.

The survey indicated that 68 per cent of nurses are interested in a career that involves clinical research - with 48 per cent of nurses saying they had considered conducting their own clinical research.

In addition, the survey highlighted a need for more awareness of research in general and of the funding opportunities available to the nursing community.

It revealed 32 per cent of nurses were unaware of any clinical research going on in their organisation.

Professor Nicki Latham, HEE’s executive lead for research commented: “At HEE we have a duty to promote research and support clinical academic careers for all professions. We are committed to supporting research by frontline clinicians as they are aware of the research questions that really matter to their service, team and, most importantly, their patients.

“Our Integrated Clinical Academic (ICA) programme run in partnership with NIHR provides a pathway for nurses, alongside other non-medical healthcare professionals, to develop a clinical academic career which will, ultimately improve patient care and experience.”

Professor Lisa Bayliss-Pratt, director of nursing and deputy director of education and quality, added: “The research undertaken by the Nursing Times stresses the importance of nursing professionals having the opportunity and support to pursue a clinical academic career.

“We are pushing on an open door as three quarters of people surveyed said they wanted to find out more about opportunities to get involved with research but raised concerns about the opportunities for nurses to develop a career in clinical research.”

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This story was first published in digitalhealth.net

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