Ten years of NIHR research training: perceptions of the programmes: a qualitative interview study

Abstract

ObjectivesThe UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) training programmes were created to build and sustain research capacity in healthcare. Following the training programme 10-year strategic review, this qualitative study aimed to deepen understanding of facilitators and barriers for those progressing through NIHR-supported research careers.DesignSemistructured qualitative study.Data collection and analysisTelephone interviews conducted between May and August 2017 were digitally recorded, transcribed and analysed using Framework Approach.SettingUK National Health Service (NHS) Trusts, university medical schools, District General Hospitals, Integrated Academic Training Programme centres and Research Design Services across the North East, North West, South East and South West of England, London and the Midlands.ParticipantsFourteen women and eight men, of whom, 14 were previous or current NIHR personal awardees (seven doctors and seven allied health professionals (AHPs) or nurses) and eight were managers (staff within clinical or university training-related roles).Results(1) NIHR awards were viewed as transformative for research careers; (2) however, there were perceptions of a biased ‘playing field’. (3) Inequalities were perceived for AHPs and nurses, those outside of established research institutes and those in ‘unfashionable’ specialisms. (4) While support for NIHR awards contributed to a healthy research culture, (5) short-term awards were perceived as a barrier to continuing an independent research career.ConclusionsParticipants perceived many strengths of the NIHR training programmes in terms of developing individual careers and research capacity. Areas in which improvement could enhance the ability to attract, develop and retain researcher were identified. Our findings are of relevance to schemes in other countries, where healthcare researchers experience similar challenges. Further work is needed to overcome barriers and ensure equity of access to, and success within, clinical research training schemes to sustain the research workforce needed to address future global health challenges.

Experience of an NIHR Clinical Lectureship (medical/dental) and the determining factors for a clinical academic career post lectureship: a mixed-method evaluation

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Core needs and diverse opportunity: A survey of academic clinical lecturers and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…These results are timely as a report last year by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has declared that the clinical research environment in the NHS is on a dangerous precipice. 2 , 3 , 4 A crisis has been declared especially at the clinical lecturer / postdoctoral level, with a leaky pipeline of clinical academics resulting in dwindling numbers and diminishing gains from translational research. 2 Multifactorial reasons are given for this, with difficulty finding any longer-term academic positions and reduced total renumeration that disincentivises clinical academia cited as important factors.…”

Research capacity and culture within Allied Health Professions in the United Kingdom: A scoping review.

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