Continuing investment in medical research should be one of the goals to improving the quality of healthcare, as stated by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) in its policy programme Leading for Quality: the foundation for healthcare over the next decade (March 2010).1
In these challenging times, it is important that physicians have the right conditions and the appropriate environment in which to participate in research in addition to their clinical service. When doctors graduate from university they are expected to have the theoretical and practical knowledge to do their job – treating patients and improving their quality of life. Research is a key part of this process and should continue to play an active role throughout a physician’s career. The value of research Research is ‘a process that demands planning, forethought, commitment, and persistence. In fact, research is more of a journey than a task; and like any journey, it needs to be managed, navigated, and negotiated from early conception to final destination’.2 Physicians who are able to actively participate in research activities will be better able to provide a high quality service for their community in many different areas. Leading for Quality stated: ‘The translation of scientific progress into more effective practice depends on creating the conditions in which a larger number of research-active doctors can confidently develop and lead the clinical research projects that underpin improved treatment and practices’.1Asking questions and proposing hypotheses leading to the submission of research proposals and applications for funding and publications is only one way in which to get involved with research. Physicians can be researchers in many ways: organising seminars, workshops or conferences, belonging to the editorial board of a journal or being a member of a clinical trial team. It is a fact that almost 60% of specialty and associate specialist (SAS) doctors in the NHS participate in teaching and supervising doctors-in-training in addition to their involvement in teaching undergraduate medical students.
SAS doctors in research
The Anuerin Bevan Health Board in Gwent, Wales has formed a group of SAS physicians from south-east Wales to participate in audits and research. As a clinical teacher for the local university, I actively participate in research for the stroke research interest group in Wales. I have a research fund in the hospital and regularly lecture about topics related to research activity, in addition to being involved with a few publications.My hospital’s research team has also recently completed recruitment and follow-up of patients for an international medical trial. All these fields of activity demonstrate the opportunities that exist for SAS doctors to get active in research, within their trust or health board.It is also important not to forget the role of the research and development departments in hospitals and the importance of the engagement of SAS doctors in research schemes that are made available locally. An outcome of the new contract for SAS doctors in the UK is the need to participate in audits and research in order to pass the threshold to the top of the pay scale. Accordingly, it has been agreed that one supported professional activity will be paid for in the new contract. Continuing medical research benefits both the physician in his or her ability to do their job and the patient in improving the quality of care.Do you want to be a researcher? If you are interested in opportunities for research contact your research and development officer in your local hospital. For funding opportunities, the Medical Research Council offers grants, studentships and fellowships (http://www.mrc.ac.uk/). There are other funding bodies and charitable organisations in the UK that offer researchers different grants related to the type of project.
In these challenging times, it is important that physicians have the right conditions and the appropriate environment in which to participate in research in addition to their clinical service. When doctors graduate from university they are expected to have the theoretical and practical knowledge to do their job – treating patients and improving their quality of life. Research is a key part of this process and should continue to play an active role throughout a physician’s career. The value of research Research is ‘a process that demands planning, forethought, commitment, and persistence. In fact, research is more of a journey than a task; and like any journey, it needs to be managed, navigated, and negotiated from early conception to final destination’.2 Physicians who are able to actively participate in research activities will be better able to provide a high quality service for their community in many different areas. Leading for Quality stated: ‘The translation of scientific progress into more effective practice depends on creating the conditions in which a larger number of research-active doctors can confidently develop and lead the clinical research projects that underpin improved treatment and practices’.1Asking questions and proposing hypotheses leading to the submission of research proposals and applications for funding and publications is only one way in which to get involved with research. Physicians can be researchers in many ways: organising seminars, workshops or conferences, belonging to the editorial board of a journal or being a member of a clinical trial team. It is a fact that almost 60% of specialty and associate specialist (SAS) doctors in the NHS participate in teaching and supervising doctors-in-training in addition to their involvement in teaching undergraduate medical students.
SAS doctors in research
The Anuerin Bevan Health Board in Gwent, Wales has formed a group of SAS physicians from south-east Wales to participate in audits and research. As a clinical teacher for the local university, I actively participate in research for the stroke research interest group in Wales. I have a research fund in the hospital and regularly lecture about topics related to research activity, in addition to being involved with a few publications.My hospital’s research team has also recently completed recruitment and follow-up of patients for an international medical trial. All these fields of activity demonstrate the opportunities that exist for SAS doctors to get active in research, within their trust or health board.It is also important not to forget the role of the research and development departments in hospitals and the importance of the engagement of SAS doctors in research schemes that are made available locally. An outcome of the new contract for SAS doctors in the UK is the need to participate in audits and research in order to pass the threshold to the top of the pay scale. Accordingly, it has been agreed that one supported professional activity will be paid for in the new contract. Continuing medical research benefits both the physician in his or her ability to do their job and the patient in improving the quality of care.Do you want to be a researcher? If you are interested in opportunities for research contact your research and development officer in your local hospital. For funding opportunities, the Medical Research Council offers grants, studentships and fellowships (http://www.mrc.ac.uk/). There are other funding bodies and charitable organisations in the UK that offer researchers different grants related to the type of project.
References
1 Royal College of Physicians. Leading for quality. The foundation for healthcare over the next decade. London: RCP, 2010.2 Brian Roberts. Getting the most out of the research experience. London: Sage 2007.
Further reading
1 Royal College of Physicians. Innovating for health: Patients, physicians, the pharmaceutical industryand the NHS. London: RCP, 2009.2 Royal College of Physicians. Guidelines on the practice of ethics committees in medical research with human participants. London: RCP, 2007. 3 General Medical Council. ‘Research: the role and responsibility of doctors’. www.gmc-uk.org/ guidance/ethical_guidance/research.asp.
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