Benefiting from the ‘research effect’ sets out how NHS trusts can better support clinicians to become research active, and the huge benefits this will deliver for patients, trusts and staff themselves.
Part of our Delivering Research for all project to support access to research opportunities across the UK for all clinicians and patients, Benefiting from the research effect is endorsed by 20 other organisations.
Key recommendations
- The impetus for more research in the NHS has never been greater. Research-active trusts boost outcomes for patients, and the Care Quality Commission includes clinical research activity in trust inspections.
- Doctors hugely value research as an important part of their job but are hampered by a lack of protected time for patient-facing research. Participation in research is inked with better morale among staff and improved retention and recruitment.
- There is large regional variation in research activity. Smaller and rural hospitals must also be encouraged to become more research active and benefit from the research effect.
- Embedding protected time must be a key priority. Maintaining medical research funding, involving patients in research design, improving R&D departments and access to research skills are also vital.
Read more about Benefitting from the 'research effect' in this blog, published on the NIHR website.
