AGE hosts introductory workshop: How do it take my first steps in research?

This week AGE Research Group members Prof Miles Witham, Dr Ellen Tullo and Dr Richard Dodds, along with a multiprofessional faculty, delivered a two-day online workshop with the NIHR Newcastle BRC. The “Getting Started in Clinical Research with Older People” course encourages healthcare professionals who work with older people to considering becoming involved in clinical research and provides guidance on how to begin their research journey.

The popular event, which was oversubscribed, covered an overview of the research process, from study conception, through to funding, conduct, analysis, and dissemination of the results. The session also focused on involving the public in clinical research and tailoring the presenting of research finding for a lay audience.

Prof Witham comments- “Getting more healthcare professionals involved in research is essential if we are to deliver the evidence needed for high-quality healthcare for older people. This course is a great starting point for anyone without research experience thinking about a career in research with older people, and will also help professionals caring for older people to support research studies in their area of clinical practice”

The multi-disciplinary faculty and attendees from all around the UK included doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, research managers and statisticians. The second day of the event focused on academic career pathways, with Dr Ellen Tullo and Linda Tinkler giving advice on the routes into research for all disciplines.

Dr Tullo explains how the workshop has been designed with a range of professionals in mind - “We believe that effective research with older people must mirror the multidisciplinary approach taken in clinical practice. This will help to incorporate the specific skill sets of different healthcare professions who are familiar with the needs of older people, and have the experience to support older patients who wish to engage in research. Our research course has been designed to include a range of healthcare professions and part of our programme will consider different routes into research, including less traditional pathways and alternative sources of funding”

We were delighted with the feedback from participants and look forward to hearing more about their career journeys.

“As a health professional working closely with Academic colleagues undertaking research I have developed an interest in how it can guide and influence practice, as well as how much of a positive impact it can have on the individuals taking part in the research. My role has recently expanded to include the Day Hospital for older people's medicine as well as Falls and Syncope, and as such I am keen to undertake some research in improving services for older people, but was unsure where to start. The multidisciplinary approach to the course is the perfect start and I thoroughly enjoyed the structure and content of the Course. I now feel very inspired and confident to take the first steps into research.”-Sister Jo Bainbridge, Course Participant

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Last modified: Thu, 14 Oct 2021 16:03:27 BST