Multi-professional perceptions of research delivery (REFINe)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What works and what could work better in healthcare professional relationships integral to clinical research delivery? A Critical Realist Ethnography of the factors influencing multiprofessional perceptions of research delivery and the impact on Clinical Research Nursing in the NHS. (REFINe)
IRAS ID
282182
Contact name
Linda Tinkler
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sheffield
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
034732, Sheffield University Research Ethics Committee
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 27 days
Research summary
The Clinical Research Nurse (CRN) role makes an important contribution to realising the aims of the wider health agenda (American Nurses Association, 2016). Despite its continuing evolution and longevity, the CRN role appears to be one of the least understood outwith the field of clinical research delivery. Although there are positive elements of the role reported in the literature, a mainly reactive and inconsistent approach to implementing the CRN role has led to increasing reports of challenges experienced by CRNs. Varied approaches to professional development and team structures; a lack of visibility and awareness outwith research teams and a perceived separation of the role from the fundamental “real work” aspects of clinical nursing practice over time, has contributed to this. Increasingly CRNs report experiencing professional isolation, lack of value within their organisation, low morale, few opportunities for professional development and progression, impact on ability to effectively deliver research studies and, most frequently identified, negative impacts on relationships and interactions with colleagues outside of the immediate clinical research team (Jones 2017; Kunhunny & Salmon 2017; Tinkler et al 2018; Whitehouse & Smith 2018; Hill, 2018; Tinkler & Robinson 2020). This work will use an Ethnographic approach to explore, uncover and better understand the underlying mechanisms triggering a range of behaviours reported and experienced at the interface between the CRN role and its stakeholders external to the research team. The ultimate aim is to understand the perceptions and resulting behaviours of NHS staff working alongside yet separate from the CRN. This will help to optimise both the success of research delivery and contribute to reducing professional isolation, perceived lack of value, low morale and the experience of negative interactions with colleagues.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
20/WS/0118
Date of REC Opinion
3 Sep 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion