Doing Research in Clinical
Practice
Fergal Jones
Some challenges…

Time, time, time

Awareness of current literature

Fluency in research skills

Bureaucracy –ethics, R&D, research themes

Money
Some possibilities…

Is it formal research?

Student/trainee projects

Partnerships/teams
Is it formal research?
Research
Evaluation
Audit

Creating new knowledge

Assessing an existing
service / intervention

Generally applicable

Locally applicable only

Beyond routine practice

Part of routine practice

E.g. random allocation

Methods typically less
vigorous

Distinction can be blurred. Can help to frame as an audit.

R&D department may be able to advise.
Service evaluation / audit…

Managers might provide time for this –linking
with service needs is key

Doesn’t have the same bureaucracy

Might be able to offer as student or trainee
project: (MSc at Sussex; PsychD at Surrey or
Salomons)
E.g. The role of a QIP …
QIP
Service
Need
Feedback to service
Improved service
Some examples …

An evaluation of an existing intervention or
service.

An audit to determine whether desired standards
are being met (e.g. waiting times).

An exploration of client satisfaction with services.

A project involving service-users in service
planning.
Some of the constraints …
Time
(1/2 day for 6 months)
QIP
Service
Need
Limited
controversy
Usually does
not require
ethical approval
Academic
requirements
Academic requirements …

Project needs to be substantial enough to support a
5,000 word write-up and demonstrate:




The trainee’s scientific and critical reasoning skills.
Their ability to design and implement a QIP.
Their ability to communicate clearly.
Their ability to reflect, critique assumptions and consider
appropriate context.

Backup university supervision is provided

Placement supervisor involvement

Contact Robert Marx or myself Aug / Sept.
What if it is research…

Master’s student at Uni. of Sussex

PsychD student at Surrey or Salomons

Partnerships with existing researchers in Trust /
universities

Linking in with existing research themes

Can be a way of building skills and confidence
Recapping some possibilities…

Is it formal research?

Student/trainee projects

Partnerships/teams

Starting small
Small group exercise…

What are you goals in relation to this?

How might you be able to work towards it?

What concerns or barriers do you have/foresee?