Dear Allison & colleagues
Just to let you know, we are working towards formalising the clinical academic role within the UK for nurses, midwives and AHP’s. I co chair the National group and as a nurse and midwife, I am making sure midwives are firmly considered. We have been working on this for the last 3 years and I think it will take some time to establish, as we looking at looking at a major culture change. As you say, it is the clinical aspect that is more challenging, research training schemes are available but need to be coordinated and clinical aspects incorporated. We are doing a press release mid July to increase awareness of what a clinical academic is, what we have done so far, what still needs to done and more importantly make explicit the contribution to care and outcome through research activity. I am speaking on this important topic at this years RCM annual conference.
We are looking for quotes illustrating difficulties so far for clinicians who currently work in a clinical academic role or wish to aspire to one.
I am happy to be contacted via the list or off line by email [log in to unmask]
Best Wishes
Debbie Carrick-Sen
Degree Programme Director/Senior Lecturer/ Head of Research for Nursing and Midwifery
University office: Room M2.106, Leech Building, Newcastle University
Postal address:
Dr Debbie Carrick-Sen
Clinical Research Degree Programme Director
c/o Faculty of Medical Sciences
Postgraduate Taught Office
Graduate School
Newcastle University
Room MG 052, William Leech Building
NE2 4HH
Office:
DECT: (0191 21) 39493
Mobile: 07843441631
From: A forum for discussion on midwifery and reproductive health research. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Alison Cooke
Sent: 15 April 2013 9:20 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Research/clinincal roles
Hi Pauline
I took up a research midwife role in early 2009. It was a part time post so for the rest of the week I maintained my clinical role. This meant that I had a contract with two different trusts/hospitals.
Most of the research midwife posts in the hospital where I was working were recruitment roles only (the midwife recruited women on behalf of the researcher) however I was lucky enough to be given a discrete piece of research within a larger body of work to lead myself. This fuelled my love of research and I am now working in a research capacity full time funded by a Ph.D. fellowship. Clinically I pick up bank shifts as time allows.
Some of the research midwives I know work in research full time and do not work clinically. Some are on secondment to research from their clinical role and will return to clinical work following the end of the secondment. If they enjoy the research and want to continue after the secondment they have to give up clinical hours and take on fixed term research contracts which are often quite short term.
When I have completed my Ph.D. I really hope to continue in an academic/research role as I love my work, however now that I do not have my permanent clinical contract I will be subject to fixed term research contracts. As far as I am concerned it is worth it. However my advice would be not to give up too much of your clinical role yet, until you know that research is what you really want to do.
Best wishes
Alison
From: A forum for discussion on midwifery and reproductive health research. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pauline Dawson
Sent: 14 April 2013 23:27
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Research/clinincal roles
Hi,
I’ve been looking through the archives but can’t quite find an answer so forgive me if I am repeating a question.
I am looking at applying for a Research Midwife role. It is complicated the way the work is divided up but some of it will be basic “research assistant” type work but a larger amount midwifery focused. However it is with a medical school.
As I need to retain a practising certificate I’d be combining in the job (if it eventuates) with everyday clinical shiftwork “on the floor”.
Can any discuss how this works in their own situation or in positions they know of.
Kind regards
Pauline Dawson
Midwife
New Zealand