Embedding post‐doctoral clinical academic careers in practice: The St Bartholomew’s Hospital model

Abstract

Aims and Objectives:In order to retain and develop pre-doctoral and doctoral staff, we sought to establish and implement a model for supporting postdoctoral clinical academic careers at our hospital.Background: Doctorally-prepared nurses can raise clinical practice standards, but there is a deficit of career opportunities and post-doctoral positions. This will inevitably impact delivering the evidence for improving patient outcomes and service delivery. It is therefore imperative that post-doctoral nursing and allied professional post-doctoral clinical academic career opportunities are developed and embedded in practice. Design: We describe the development and implementation of a model to provide and embed post-doctoral clinical academic roles at our hospital. Methods: A multidisciplinary group devised the model which was approved by the Hospital Executive Board. Results: The model includes having a bespoke plan for each individual, planning the post-doctoral role at time of PhD planning, providing 1 day a week protected research time for a minimum of 12 months after PhD completion, having an appropriate honorary academic contract at a partner University, and providing integrated clinical and academic supervision throughout. Other key components include senior clinical and Executive Board support and an existing vibrant research culture at our organisation. Conclusions: The St Bartholomew's Hospital model, focusing on individualised posts integrating clinical and academic roles to address service needs, offers a novel approach to supporting post-doctoral clinical academic careers in a clinical setting.

Impacts of clinical academic activity: qualitative interviews with healthcare managers and research-active nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and pharmacists

“…44 45 Some organisations have shown that it is possible to develop bespoke solutions to ensure career progression. 46 The second theme of visibility revealed the role that individual research-active clinicians have in developing research capability and motivating their clinical team. Areas without clinical academic role models may not have the same level of or encouragement, to pursue research opportunities across the organisation.…”

Reflections on contributing to health research: A qualitative interview study with research participants and patient advisors

“…However, in comparison to the medical professionals, there is currently a lack of structure and access to clinical academic career pathways for the NMAHPP disciplines [20][21][22]. Various initiatives have been reported, such as embedded researcher models [23], practice-based research training programmes [24], interdisciplinary internship schemes [25], and organisation-and discipline-specific postdoctoral career pathways [26].…”

The rise and rise of NMAHPs in UK clinical research

“…3 Much of the success for NMAHPs has occurred when they clearly articulate and support a research strategy across organisations, develop innovative roles and job descriptions, and provide signposting and support for the community. 8,9 This is particularly valued when organisations acknowledge that research is an essential element in improving patient care, and also retaining high-quality staff. 7,8 Research-active NMAHPs also report benefits such as increased job satisfaction, enhanced skills and a greater sense of personal achievement.…”