Healthcare professionals interested in a career in research are set for a boost as the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) teams up with the royal colleges to invest in people’s future.
Nearly £1m has been invested to develop a series of e-learning programmes for aspiring health researchers, representing the first time the NIHR and the colleges have collaborated on a project of this kind.
Each participating college has been able to design their modules around the needs of their researchers, with content also suitable for people who have no research experience whatsoever.
The aim of the modules, which will freely available online via the NIHR Learn platform, is to expand the knowledge, skills and clinical research awareness of health professionals.
The organisations taking part in the project, include:
- The Royal College of Physicians (RCP)
- The College of Optometrists which is working with Ulster University
- The Royal Pharmaceutical Society
- The Royal College of Nursing which is working with King’s College London
- The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists which is working with the University of Birmingham
- The Royal College of Emergency Medicine which is working with the College of Paramedics
- The Royal College of Psychiatrists
- The Royal College of Surgeons of England
The delivery of the content has been designed so it fits around staff needs with online, tablet and mobile access all enabled so participants can cater against their schedules.
Users will also not need an application or membership to a college to access the modules with no specified end date further meaning they can complete the programmes at their own pace and leisure.
“NIHR is aware that there is a clear need to address the research learning needs of those who currently report gaps in their research skills,” said the NIHR Academy’s Gareth O’Brien.
"By working with the colleges, this new e-learning programme will meet this need, with a flexible selection of modules developed to enable people to feel more confident to engage with research and research opportunities."
Academic vice president of the RCP, Professor Ramesh Arasaradnam, added: “It’s an excellent new initiative that aims to support any health professional that has an interest in clinical research. High-quality research in the NHS is everyone’s responsibility and we will continue to call for it to be a core part of clinical care.”
Each college will launch its modules in phases over the next 12 months, according to the NIHR.
