References
Empowering clinical staff in research: advancing patient care through quality improvement and research
Abstract
Quality improvement (QI) plays a critical role in bridging the gap between research and practice in health care, particularly for disciplines that have historically been underrepresented in research, such as nursing and allied health professions. By focusing on real-world challenges and applying evidence-based solutions, QI allows health professionals to engage in research without the extensive time and resource demands of traditional studies. This article explores the value of QI initiatives in enhancing clinical practice, emphasising the importance of systematic approaches incorporating validated QI models. It highlights key barriers to QI adoption, including resource limitations, educational gaps, and inconsistent implementation, while offering strategies to overcome these obstacles. Case study discussion illustrates the potential of QI to improve patient outcomes and streamline healthcare processes, while the discussion of the integration of QI into nursing education and practice in the USA explores ideas that could be implemented here in the UK. Ultimately, embedding QI within healthcare systems fosters a culture of continuous improvement and research engagement, empowering nurses and allied health professionals to contribute to evidence-based care and the advancement of clinical research.
Research capacity in health care is vital as it underpins evidence-based practice that directly influences patient care outcomes. In today's healthcare environment, a robust research foundation is crucial for developing effective interventions, improving policies and creating care models that address the increasingly complex needs of diverse populations. Building research capacity enables healthcare professionals to generate and apply scientific knowledge, leading to better health services, innovation and overall healthcare improvements (Sabey et al, 2019).
Despite the critical role that health professionals such as nurses, midwives and allied health professionals (AHPs) play in direct patient care, they remain underrepresented in healthcare research in the UK (Peckham et al, 2023). The multi-professional practice-based research capabilities framework (NHS England, 2024) addresses this gap by outlining structured activities for research skill development across different levels of practice, from entry level to consultant. This approach is designed to promote engagement, strengthen research capabilities and empower these professionals to support, deliver and lead practice-based research. The framework aligns with national strategies to create a research-active healthcare environment, aiming to overcome existing barriers and promote equitable research opportunities.
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