References
Implementing a strategic plan for research
Abstract
Effective integration of research within healthcare organisations is recognised to improve outcomes. A research strategy within a hospital Trust in South West England was revised, following the launch of a national Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) strategy that promotes research engagement and activity. The aim was to develop, implement and evaluate this revised strategic plan for research. High-level engagement within the organisation was established and previous initiatives evaluated. A 6-year plan with 2-year targets was defined and evaluated at year end. The four pillars of the CNO strategy were central to the revised strategy, underpinned by digital innovation. Evaluation of the earlier strategy indicated excellent engagement with the Chief Nurse Research Fellow initiative and the Clinical Academic Network. The ‘Embedding Research In Care’ (ERIC) unit was reconfigured to an ERIC model, which aided question generation and project development. Year one objectives were achieved within the revised plan. Implementing a research strategy within an organisation requires a cultural shift and a long-term vision is required with measurable objectives. The team demonstrated significant progress through high-level leadership, mentoring and cross-professional collaboration.
Research engagement and improvements in healthcare outcomes are positively associated (Boaz et al, 2015), and significant correlations between clinical research activity, academic output and reduced mortality are evident (Bennett et al, 2012; Ozdemir et al, 2015). For clinical academic research to flourish the development of staff who understand the importance of research and innovation and the role of an embedded research culture is key (Olive et al, 2022). A strategy for nursing, midwifery and allied healthcare professional (NMAHP) research had been developed in 2019 in a Trust in the South West of England. This was created as part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 70@70 initiative to foster a culture of innovation and implement research activity within organisations (Castro-Sánchez et al, 2020). Targeted positive action was provided to support NMAHPs in realising their research potential, through three key projects: a Chief Nurse Research Fellow (CNRF) programme, an Embedding Research In Care (ERIC) unit and a Clinical Academic Network (CAN), designed to support at individual, team and department level (Shepherd et al, 2022). The CNRF programme is a secondment, 1 day every fortnight for 12 months, for clinical staff interested in research with funding allocated to their department to provide clinical cover in their absence. The CNRFs undertake training in research, learn more about research being conducted within the organisation and undertake a small-scale improvement project based on a clinical question from their area. The ERIC unit had a dedicated research facilitator to work with staff in the department to raise awareness of research and promote research activity. The CAN is a virtual network of staff within the organisation who are interested in and engaged with research at many different levels and provides a forum for peer support, providing feedback on research initiatives, sharing opportunities and providing mentoring and assistance with research funding applications (Shepherd et al, 2022).
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting British Journal of Nursing and reading some of our peer-reviewed resources for nurses. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Limited access to clinical or professional articles
-
Unlimited access to the latest news, blogs and video content