Experience of Research Training and Post graduate
Study
Joanne Barrett
Specialist Cystic Fibrosis Dietitian

 Specialist role for many years in regional centre
 Exposed to research at work and attended conferences
 No practical experience of research
 No research training
 Lots of ideas
 Opportunity

 National Institute of Health Research
(NIHR) full time funded masters as part of the Clinical Academic
Training pathway for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals.
 The aim of the programme is to facilitate the building of research knowledge and skills for those who wish to pursue a clinical academic career pathway.
 The NIHR envisions the programme contributing to the development of future research leaders in the nursing and allied health professions

 12 universities are currently funded by the NIHR to provide
Masters in Clinical Research places to Nurses, Midwives and
AHPs who work in the NHS.
 Funding covers the successful applicants' salary and course / tuition fees. Prospective graduate clinicians who have worked as nurses, midwives or allied health professionals for a minimum of 1 year
 Art Therapists ,Chiropodists / Podiatrists /Diagnostic
Radiographers /Dietitians /Drama Therapists /Midwives /Music
Therapists /Nurses /Occupational Therapists /Orthoptists
/Orthotists /Paramedics/Physiotherapists /Prosthetists /Speech
& Language Therapists/Therapeutic Radiographers

?
 University of Birmingham
 University of Brighton
 City University London
 University of East Anglia
 Kings College London
 University of Leeds
 Newcastle University
 University of Nottingham
 University of Manchester
 University of Sheffield
 University of Southampton
 St Georges University of London

 The aim is to enable students to gain skills required to plan, manage and execute research projects in a rigorous, scientific manner and to develop appropriate practical research skills together with an in-depth understanding of current specialist knowledge.
 preparation for doctoral research training
 full time study
 3 supervised research projects
 3 taught modules

 Overview of research methods
 Epistemological and methodological approaches to qualitative research
 Skills for research
 Introduction to statistical issues in health research

 Poster
 Strategy for literature review
 Literature review
 Statistics – study design written assessment and statistical analysis report using SPSS
 Grant application including presentation
 3 mini projects
 Oral presentation of final project

 Professional discussion paper on disordered eating in cystic fibrosis
 Study of qualitative research methodology grounded theory and practical experience of qualitative interviewing
 An exploration of the relationship with food and food experiences of healthy women: practical experience of qualitative analysis skills using a simple thematic content analysis .

 Returning back to work
 2 poster submissions
 1 grant application unsuccessful
 Cystic Fibrosis Nutritional guidelines for UK
 Contributed to Cochrane Review of Vitamin E supplementation in Cystic Fibrosis
 Future research plans